WITHOUT Amy Parmenter the GIANTS had a new look defence, but that did stop them from getting back on the winners list overrunning Collingwood by four goals (62-58). It was a slow start to the game for the GIANTS as the Magpies came out with a real fire in the belly but their ability to grind out the game proved to be enough to get them over the line, surviving a couple of last quarter flurries.

It was a shaky start for both sides as they failed to capitalise on their own centre passes instead scoring off each other’s in what was a scrappy opening couple of minutes. Kiera Austin dominated in the early stages of the game scoring the first four goals for the GIANTS showcasing her impressive sweep across the circle and accuracy to post. Up the other end, Shimona Nelson was the go to girl under the post for the Magpies commanding the ball. A huge intercept from Jodi-Ann Ward gifted the Magpies an opportunity to hit the front with Nelson landing the much needed goal. Things started to hum for Collingwood in defence with Geva Mentor imposing herself with her lean over the shot and Ward picking up the crumbs as the Magpies skipped out to a handy two goal lead.

Struggling to find their rhythm in attack the GIANTS called a timeout however it was Collingwood that made a change to their line-up with Kaitlyn Black getting her debut out in wing defence. Out to three goals, the GIANTS steadily pegged back the deficit with a more cautious approach to goal. Jo Harten struggled to find her range from the super shot zone missing consecutive goals while the Magpies showcased their accuracy punishing their opponents as they controlled the flow down the court and scoreboard. Mentor was having a field day under the post gobbling up a wealth of rebounds and putting doubt into the feeders minds as the Pies established a handy four-goal buffer.

Gabby Sinclair picked up where she left off in the second term with her strong drives in the goal circle and playmaking abilities out the front to deliver into Nelson. After spending some time on the bench in the latter half of the first term Mel Bragg came alive with the wing defence showcasing her attacking attributes along with her defensive mindset, letting loose of a bullet pass into Nelson under the post. The GIANTS mounted a comeback midway through the quarter with Harten working her way into the contest while Maddie Hay also found her groove around the circle edge with her impressive timing and variety of passes to keep Mentor and Ward guessing.

The combination of Molly Jovic and Kelly Altmann impressed throughout the term as the duo combined seamlessly in the attacking third to thread the ball down court. The speed through the midcourt was seeming to cause havoc for the GIANTS as they found plenty of space. The momentum continued to ebb and flow however Kristiana Manu’a was determined to have an impact for the GIANTS taking a perfectly timed intercept as April Brandley delivered a long bomb into Harten. Getting as close as one goal, inaccuracy from the GIANTS cost them chances to level the score while Collingwood made them pay up the other end. It turned into a super shot, shootout as Austin, Nyah Allen and Harten all managed to hit the long bomb. The GIANTS controlled the final two minutes of the term as they stole the lead albeit narrow at half-time.

It was a congested start to the third quarter for both sides as players failed to create space forcing the ball to be played around. Jamie-Lee Price was a real spark with her defensive marking through the centre court while Matilda McDonnell made her way onto the court for the GIANTS. The increased defensive pressure from the Pies filtered across the court as they picked up some crucial ball. Some wayward shooting at the hands of Austin saw the GIANTS shake up their shooting circle with Australian Diamonds captain, Caitlin Bassett making her way onto the court and having an immediate impact with her precision and accuracy. Harten moved out to goal attack while Austin switched into the wing attack as the GIANTS found some much needed rhythm in attack.

Wholesale changes dictated the final five minutes of the third quarter for Collingwood as Emma Ryde pulled on the goal shooter bib while up the other end, Matilda Garrett entered the game in goal defence. But those changes seemed to have very little influence on the GIANTS who had a real pep in their step and looked more composed in attack as they skipped out to a game high seven goals. But Sinclair was determined to keep the Pies in touching distance sinking a couple of super shots, Harten on the other hand was desperate to keep the GIANTS in front which she did ahead of the final change.

The Magpies came out with plenty of intensity forcing a turnover and most importantly converting as Nelson re-entered the game with a point to prove reducing the margin to a mere two goals. Altmann continued her dominant ways for the Pies while Bragg also lifted to supply ball into the attacking third. The intensity from the Magpies was palpable as they looked to hunt down each and every pass. Two and half minutes passed as neither side managed to find the net. With the clock ticking down Sinclair sunk an almighty super shot to get within two as the GIANTS employed a more cautious approach. After two bites of the cherry Sinclair nailed her third attempt from super shot range however the GIANTS did just enough securing a hard-fought four goal victory.

Both sides rotated their shooters throughout the clash as Nelson led the way for the Magpies with 29 goals for the evening while Sinclair was once again the dominant shooter from the super shot for the black and white nailing six to go with her 10 goals while also acquiring 14 goal assists. There was no shortage of super shots from the GIANTS either as Harten and Austin combined for five while Harten finished with 19 goals and walked away with Player of the Match honours. The injection of Bassett paid dividends as the goal shooter managed 19 goals from 20 attempts at 95 per cent accuracy.

Mentor was a key cog down back for Collingwood picking up eight gains four of which in the form of intercepts along with eight deflections as Ward also got busy with three intercepts, five deflections and three rebounds of her own. For the GIANTS, Poolman was the main ball winner amassing four intercepts and five deflections while Brandley also chimed in with five gains, two deflections and a goal assist.

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GIANTS Netball 9 | 18 | 19 | 16 (62)
Collingwood Magpies 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 (58)

STARTING SEVEN  

GIANTS Netball:

GS: Jo Harten
GA: Kiera Austin
WA: Maddie Hay
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Kristiana Manu’a
GD: April Brandley
GK: Sam Poolman

Collingwood Magpies:

GS: Shimona Nelson
GA: Gabby Sinclair
WA: Molly Jovic
C: Kelly Altmann
WD: Mel Bragg
GD: Jodi-Ann Ward
GK: Geva Mentor