A DOMINANT first half from GIANTS Netball was enough to solidify a four-goal win over a late surging Collingwood Magpies outfit in yesterday’s 59-55 Suncorp Super Netball victory at home.

Both sides were wanting to get their second win in a row off of hard fought victories in the previous week.

GIANTS shooters Jo Harten (35 goals) and Sophie Dwyer (24) could do no wrong, able to fly on the baseline and create any space they wanted out the front. Typically known for their long range shooting during the super shot periods, both shooters shot only three super shots respectively.

The key matchup between Magpies wing attack Kelsey Browne and GIANTS wing defence Amy Parmenter proved to be critical as both players are vying for a position in that World Cup squad to be announced in Round 7.

Parmenter’s tracking defence and pressure on the circle edge caused several tips and turnovers for her side. A tip on a throw in resulting in the ball slipping from Sophie Garbin’s grasp began a momentum shift for the GIANTS as they went on a three goal run.

The two on one defence by the GIANTS defenders on Magpies goal shooter Shimona Nelson (36) closed her off as an option for the midcourters and needed to rely on Garbin to do the work out the front. The GIANTS were pushing the Collingwood attackers out wide and the Giants shooters ‘pully’ system allowed for someone to always be either at the post or helping the feeders outside of the circle.

This proved to work well as they could get the ball anywhere around the circle and slot it in. A powerful first term for the GIANTS only continued throughout the second, taking an 11 goal lead by half-time.

Both teams opened the second half determined, going goal for goal the majority of the first five minutes. The Collingwood attack line was wanting better ball security, as the GIANTS had 10 gains compared to the Magpies’ four. This turned around as the Magpies were able to hold up the GIANTS for periods of time, forcing multiple unnecessary passes.

The Magpies attack line looked more comfortable in the second half, playing their style of netball, but they were not winning enough ball in defence and having to rely on the super shots to catch up. An intercept from Jodi-Ann Ward was exactly what Collingwood needed, being able to get the ball down court to Nelson and shoot a goal in the blink of an eye.

The battle between Browne and Parmenter was won by Parmenter in the first half and Browne in the second. Parmenter finished with three intercepts and six deflections, and she was able to shut down Browne on the first phase. But Browne’s speed and agility in the goal third allowed her to drive into the free space and land on the circle edge with ease.

Player of the Match: Jamie-Lee Price (GIANTS Netball)

GIANTS NETBALL 20 | 16 | 13 | 10 (59)
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 15 | 10 | 13 | 17 (55)

STARTING SEVENS

GIANTS Netball:

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

Collingwood Magpies

GS: Shimona Nelson
GA: Sophie Garbin
WA: Kelsey Browne
C: Molly Jovic
WD: Ash Brazill
GD: Jodi-Ann Ward
GK: Geva Mentor