IN a milestone game for both clubs, it was GIANTS Netball that came away with the win against Collingwood Magpies, 63-56 to snatch fourth spot on the Suncorp Super Netball ladder. Both the GIANTS and Magpies welcomed back star players after competing in the World Cup with the likes of Geva Mentor, April Brandley, Jamie-Lee Price, Jo Harten and Caitlin Bassett all making their way back into their respective sides.

Fan favourite Ash Brazill played her 100th game and did not leave any stone unturned pulling on the centre bib and using her athleticism to her full advantage. It was goal for goal early before the GIANTS broke free credit to Bassett stringing a couple of goals together creating a two-goal buffer. But the Magpies fought back with Mentor and Brandley working in overtime to cause confusion in the goal circle and pick up turnovers. Kim Ravaillion made her presence felt in wing defence picking up timely intercepts and blocking opponent Kim Green at every occasion with her speed and hands over pressure. Up the other end, Shimona Nelson showcased her impressive strength and aerial abilities to take the ball at full flight and turn and shoot. Harten continued her hot form under the post shooting from anywhere in the circle and backing herself time and time again to make the most of her opportunities. Meanwhile Diamond, Price found good space across the court to feed into Harten seamlessly. With both teams unable to gain any fluidity across the court the lead chopped and changed with both sides pulling away and edging out to a lead before the other challenged back to get onto level pegging. But it was the GIANTS that struck first claiming the first bonus point of the game.

With two goals in it, the Magpies upped the ante in defence to create pressure and confuse the space for the GIANTS attack end. Mentor and Brandley forced Bassett up high but it was not enough with the GIANTS well and truly kicking into gear right across the court. Bassett and Harten found good space in the circle and did not look like missing showcasing their composure and skill to work the ball around the circle edge. Both sides made changes with Kiera Austin replacing Kim Green showcasing her skill and ball placement to deliver well weighted passes into the goalers. Her dynamic movement and impressive timing allowed her to hit the circle edge with precision and cause all sorts of headaches for the Magpies defence end. Brazill shifted back into her traditional position working hard to try and cover the cuts and drives of Austin and with the defence end struggling to combat the offensive pressure applied, youngster Matilda Garrett made her way onto the court in hope to spark something for the Magpies but unfortunately it was to no avail. Kelsey Browne showcased her speed and athleticism commanding the ball in the attacking third and penetrating the circle edge time and time again before being taken off late in the second. With Browne benched, former Silver Fern Kimiora Poi was injected into the game in wing attack and used her clever ball movement and timing to feed into the circle but struggled to find that connection with Nelson and Nat Medhurst.

Down by 11 goals at half-time the Magpies had a point to prove and made a few changes in the attack end with Gabby Sinclair coming on for Medhurst. Sinclair had an immediate impact with her impressive vision and ability to turn and shoot. In her 50th game Kristiana Manu’a displayed her aerial skills and speed to get hands to ball and work her way into the game. The defensive connection between her and Sam Poolman grew throughout the match, pushing Nelson up high and contesting the hands at every opportunity winning back plenty of ball for the GIANTS. Brandley returned in goal defence with the combination between her Mentor proving more imposing but that was not enough to derail the GIANTS who were clinical across the court and did not allow the Magpies to get hands to ball with ease. Wing defence Amy Parmenter imposed herself on the game with her strong defensive pressure, quick feet and attacking intent to deny Browne any easy avenue to circle edge. The GIANTS piled on 18 goals in the third term while keeping Collingwood to 11 pushing the margin out to a whopping 18 goals at the final change.

Still struggling to find the winning combination, Garrett re-entered the game in goal defence with her extra height and speed working wonders for the Magpies. The Magpies forced a turnover in the opening minutes of the fourth term credit to the work of Mentor and went on a mini three-goal run to kick-start the term. Collingwood were not the only side to make changes with Green making her way from the bench into wing attack, while Austin moved into goal attack and Harten was rested on the bench. But with the changes in attack, the Magpies took full advantage with Mentor and Garrett capitalising and propelling the ball back down the court. Nelson stood up time and time again showing great control and athleticism to reign ball in while a tactical timeout midway through the final term saw Parmenter and Price switch positions. The Collingwood defensive unit really stood up in the fourth quarter working tirelessly to create turnovers, clog up space and read the play to get hands to ball. In the end the GIANTS claimed the win, but the Magpies proved that they have what it takes to work their way back into a game cutting down an 18-goal deficit to seven at full-time.

STARTING LINE-UP:

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES

GS | Shimona Nelson
GA | Nat Medhurst
WA | Kelsey Browne
C | Ash Brazill
WD | Kim Ravaillion
GD | April Brandley
GK | Geva Mentor

GIANTS NETBALL:

GS | Caitlin Bassett
GA | Jo Harten
WA | Kim Green
C | Jamie-Lee Price
WD | Amy Parmenter
GD | Kristiana Manu’a
GK | Sam Poolman