THE 2021 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) preliminary final was always set to be a blockbuster, and neither the GIANTS nor the West Coast Fever let up in a huge battle for a grand final berth. A huge first quarter was the catalyst for the GIANTS, who will head into a monumental all-NSW grand final next week against the NSW Swifts, after defeating the Fever 64-61.

A held ball call on Jhaniele Fowler got the ball rolling early for the GIANTS as they patiently chipped their way down for Jo Harten to sink the first goal. An Amy Parmenter pickup moments later saw GIANTS go two up, and despite energy from Stacey Francis-Bayman the Fever could not turnover the ball. Fowler did not stress on her second chance to post though, as the GIANTS staved off a goal for the opening three minutes. Verity Charles had her energy up early with her quick feet working in overdrive, but the connection just did not seem to be there between Charles and Jess Anstiss, who struggled early under pressure from Jamie-Lee Price. Despite the GIANTS seeming to have the momentum it did not take too long for the Fever to even up the ledger as both sides had early unforced errors creep up. 

The GIANTS managed to keep their noses in front credit to the huge workrate of Parmenter, with the wing defence wreaking havoc with her relentless hunt on the ball. Hesitance on circle edge seemed to be an issue in the GIANTS front-end but that did not matter, with the likes of Harten and Sophie Dwyer rotating seamlessly within the circle. A Dwyer super shot saw the GIANTS extend to a five-goal lead, as the Fever looked uncomfortable in attack – but that did not stop Fowler from going for a super shot of her own, sinking it to see the Fever trail by three at the first break.

A goal for goal start to the second quarter saw neither side relent early, but once again it was Parmenter who stepped up with a miracle grab as Sam Poolman really started to impede on Fowler’s headspace and ability to play her own game. A calm and composed approach from the GIANTS in attack saw them pile on the offensive pressure, while defensively they took every chance that came their way as April Brandley first shut down Teague-Neeld, and then Sasha Glasgow as the change was made but little came from it. A big win for the GIANTS saw Charles sent to the bench as Emma Cosh entered the action, while at the other end GIANTS wing attack Maddie Hay put on her defensive hat as she worked in overdrive to not only get the ball in the circle, but also apply pressure through the midcourt to turn ball back over. Little errors seemed to plague the Fever as the pressure piled up as a Dwyer super shot took the lead out to 10 before a long bomb buzzer beater from Fowler took it back to an eight goal margin at half time. 

The changes were made for the Fever as the second half arrived, with Charles returning to the court in centre as Anstiss moved back to wing defence and Francis-Batman replacing Sunday Aryang in goal defence. Another speedy start to the GIANTS saw the side extend that half time lead to 11 within the opening 90 seconds. While the Fever chipped along to keep the scoreline at that same margin, they could not cut into the lead credit to the GIANTS’ continued pressure around the court. Another offensive contact off Fowler saw Poolman earn another big win as Teague-Nweke rolled on. Harten’s connection with Hay and Price was hard to stop though, as the GIANTS captain ran rings around Bruce and Francis-Bayman. The Fever appeared to be a bit more energetic following Teague-Neeld’s return to the court, with the Fever feeds returning to normal but still unable to bite into the margin. 

A couple of quick GIANTS goals saw another Fever timeout just as the super shot period began with Aryang returning to the court, and a Fever snatch and grab from GIANTS clutches to turn over the ball immediately. But a Fowler super shot attempt fell short and the GIANTS were quick to take advantage, but the Fever pressure seemed to have kicked up a notch as the hands over pressure proved crucial. Everything seemed to be going the GIANTS way as Teague-Neeld put a last super shot on the board to reduce the lead to 10 at the final change. 

An early win from the Fever saw them put up the first three goals of the quarter before the GIANTS looked to retain control but a Dwyer offensive contact almost snapped that in the bud before Parmenter stepped up once more. The GIANTS looked stagnant in attack but that did not stop them from hitting the scoreboard as they capitalised on Fever’s midcourt errors. Bruce made herself known with a couple critical loose ball gets as the Fever reduced the margin to seven, with a real shift in momentum in progress. But a Poolman intercept shot that in the foot, as Harten continued to ply her trade and evade Bruce, with a 10-goal buffer back in play. 

Fowler seemed to have the yips as the super shot period arrived, with Teague-Neeld stepping up to the task with three super shots to reduce the margin, as the GIANTS continued to chip away and worked in overdrive in attack to patiently eat up the remaining time on the clock. Two Fowler super shots saw the margin reduced to two with under 30 seconds on the clock, as the GIANTS would wind down the clock to earn a grand final berth, 64-61. 

It was a shared effort across the board for the GIANTS, with Harten (37 goals from 44 attempts) and Dwyer (24 from 27) plying their trade effectively and accurately, as Hay (24 assists) and Price (19) provided the outside connection. Parmenter racked up four intercepts as Brandley’s smothering defence saw her register three gains as player of the match Poolman’s impact was felt despite not racking up the stats, registering two gains and just three penalties to her name. Fowler was reduced to just 41 goals at 90 per cent, while Teague-Neeld (nine from 16, including five from 10 super shots) and Glasgow (two from four) worked hard to open Fowler up at the post. Charles led the assists with 15 as Teague-Neeld and Cosh registered 11 apiece. Bruce (six gains, two intercepts) worked hard as Aryang racked up three gains.

GIANTS NETBALL | 16 | 19 | 16 | 13 (64)
WEST COAST FEVER | 13 | 14 | 14 | 20 (61)

STARTING SEVEN

GIANTS

GS: Jo Harten
GA: Sophie Dwyer
WA: Maddie Hay
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Amy Parmenter
GD: April Brandley
GK: Sam Poolman

FEVER

GS: Jhaniele Fowler
GA: Alice Teague-Neeld
WA: Verity Charles
C: Jess Anstiss
WD: Stacey Francis-Bayman
GD: Sunday Aryang
GK: Courtney Bruce

Picture credit: Suncorp Super Netball via Twitter