GIANTS Netball have held off a gallant Queensland Firebirds in a high intense and physical game to maintain fourth spot in the Suncorp Super Netball thanks to a six-goal win. Neither side was willing to take a backwards step and bodies were flying everywhere throughout the four quarters, but in the end it was the GIANTS’ experience that shone through in the 63-57 win.

The Firebirds got off to a flyer claiming the first bonus point credit to their strong connection in attack and sheer desperation across the court. Gretel Tippett and Romelda Aiken put the GIANTS on notice with the two showcasing their skill, aerial ability and dynamic movement while also proving accuracy was no issue. But that flow was quickly halted with Tippett copping a stray elbow to the nose forcing her from the court and causing a stop in play. The goal attack had blood streaming from her nose and all over the court sending club doctors into overdrive. Once the court was cleaned, Tippett was replaced by Abigail Latu-Meafou who slotted in seamlessly. Though not as tall and strong, Latu-Meafou found good space and held her own feeding the ball into Aiken time and time again. Up the other end, Jo Harten put on a masterclass for the GIANTS with the England international showcasing her range with 10 goals from 11 attempts. The goal attack well and truly outscored the Australian captain in the opening term with Caitlin Bassett only managing three goals. The Firebirds held a two-goal buffer heading into quarter time credit to their tenacity and daring ball movement.

Patched up and ready to head back onto the court Tippett continued her accurate ways nailing nine from nine and shouldering the load in attack. Both Jemma Mi Mi and Erin Burger lifted their intensity through attack feeding the ball into the shooters and creating good speed to fake the ball one way and then go the other. Burger was a real play maker in attack amassing five goal assists while also doing the defensive things well. The shooting load evened up for the GIANTS with Bassett commanding the ball under the post and using her smarts to get off the body of Laura Clemesha and find good space. Bassett did not miss a shot during the second term nailing seven straight while Jamie-Lee Price displayed her defensive pressure across the court with two deflections. Price really stood up in the second quarter varying her passes into Bassett and Harten while also providing strong leads to the top of the goal circle with five feeds. Wing defence, Amy Parmenter impressed with her hands over pressure, closing speed and read of the play to win the ball and force turnovers. The GIANTS did enough to wrestle back the momentum and forge ahead and secure their first bonus point but were still down by a goal heading into the main break.

The GIANTS came out with a point to prove piling on a whopping 21 goals their highest quarter score for the season thus far. Unhappy with the flow in attack, GIANTS coach Julie Fitzgerald brought on Kiera Austin. The wing attack replaced veteran Kim Green who was locked in a tight battle with Firebirds captain Gabi Simpson, with Simpson arguably winning the tussle. Austin made an immediate impact with eight feeds, five goal assists and a deflection highlighting her ability to come on and blow the game wide open. Defensively both Kristiana Manu’a and Sam Poolman upped the ante clogging up space and causing confusion. Poolman showcased good elevation and her quick footwork to get hands to ball picking up two gains, two intercepts and two deflections. Struggling to combat the GIANTS pressure Roselee Jencke brought on daughter Macy Gardner in centre who provided good speed while Caitlyn Nevins also made her way onto the court in wing attack. The battle between Kim Jenner and Harten steadily intensified with the two going toe to toe. The young Firebirds defender proved she was not afraid of the contest going out hunting and laying her body on the line but in doing so caught plenty of attention from the umpire with 11 penalties for the term. Clemesha worked tirelessly picking up two gains and two intercepts but it was not enough.

The Firebirds fought back in the final term to claim another bonus point but could not muster up enough to secure their first win of the season. Aiken lifter her load nailing 12 goals from 14 attempts while the swelling on Tippett’s face increased. The GIANTS oozed class and composure with ball in hand and all but secured their spot in the top four.

STARTING LINE-UP:

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS:

GS | Romelda Aiken
GA | Gretel Tippett
WA | Jemma Mi Mi
C | Erin Burger
WD | Gabi Simpson
GD | Kim Jenner
GK | Laura Clemesha

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