In a tense Suncorp Super Netball clash in Brisbane the home side ground out a physical 60-57 win over their rivals the NSW Swifts.
There was a large and vocal crowd packed into the Brisbane Entertainment Centre for the clash, with plenty of Queensland spirit ahead of the State of Origin clash to be played on the same day.
And with the match seemingly in their keeping in the dying minutes, the chant of “Queenslander” went up.
New South Wales stole victory from the jaws of defeat in Round 1 and threatened to do so again here – closing to within two goals late in the final quarter, but there were to be no heroics from the underdogs this time, with the Firebirds able to close it out.
Gretel Tippett’s 17 goals from 18 attempts and 16 goal assists proved pivotal in a match in which both teams went long periods without turning over the ball.
Both sides came out firing in a physical clash that had all the hallmarks of a final, with the home side claiming an early three-goal advantage.
Queensland’s defence began to tell, with NSW wing attack Paige Hadley unable to have her usual impact as she was often double-teamed, while Laura Geitz was solid in keeping shooter Sam Wallace off the ball.
It was the Firebirds who led at the first break 16-14.
Sophie Garbin was brought into the contest to replace Wallace at goal shooter in the second quarter as the visitors looked for a way to break through, with the youngster having an immediate impact, but Queensland still managed to grind out another bonus point and take a 29-26 lead into the half-time break.
The Firebirds were dominating the match in every aspect except the scoreboard in the third term, with the Swifts doggedly hanging in just like they did in their Round 1 clash.
Some strong work on the defensive end from Tara Hinchliffe handed the Firebirds the roll they needed, pushing the advantage out to six – their biggest lead of the match.
Garbin surged for the Swifts, but was denied a goal on the three-quarter siren, which meant NSW went into the final term trailing 44-40.
Queensland needed turnovers as the Swifts came home strong and their former skipper and Samsung Diamond Geitz delivered.
It got physical between her and Garbin and the veteran emerged the stronger as the home side seized momentum again.
NSW had one final charge in them in the dying minutes, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Q1: Firebirds 16 v Swifts 14
Q2: Firebirds 13 v Swifts 12
Q3: Firebirds 15 v Swifts 14
Q4: Firebirds 16 v Swifts 17
Suncorp Super Netball premiership points
Firebirds 7
Swifts 1
Firebirds shooting statistics
Romelda Aiken 43/49
Gretel Tippett 17/18
Swifts shooting statistics
Sam Wallace 15/17
Helen Housby 23/30
Sophie Garbin 19/23
Firebirds starting seven
GS: Romelda Aiken, GA: Gretel Tippett, WA: Caitlyn Nevins, C: Mahalia Cassidy, WD: Gabi Simpson, GD: Tara Hinchliffe, GK: Laura Geitz
Swifts starting seven
GS: Sam Wallace, GA: Helen Housby, WA: Paige Hadley, C: Maddy Proud, WD: Abbey McCulloch, GD: Maddy Turner, GK: Sarah Klau
Nissan MVP: Gretel Tippett
