By Matt Fotia
It is fair to say things didn’t go to plan for the GIANTS in 2024.
Julie Fitzgerald’s side weren’t amongst the premiership favourites during the pre-season but with the signing of Jodi-Ann Ward, and the inclusion of names like Pitman and Winders, the wooden spoon wasn’t on the table either.
The GIANTS were slow out of the blocks, losing three of their first four games by more than 15 goals and that trend continued throughout the season as they failed to inject any momentum into their 2024 campaign.
In total the GIANTS lost five games by more than 15 goals, with the round six 24 goal drubbing by the Swifts a low point.
The wheel looked to have turned by the end of the year though.
Despite not winning a game in the final four rounds, the GIANTS did put some more consistent performances together, challenging the Lightning, Fever, Mavericks and Swifts in close encounters, giving their fans some hope ahead of 2025.
Wins were few and far between for the GIANTS in 2024.BEST WIN
The GIANTS managed just three wins in 2024, so we’re not spoiled for choice, but their round seven victory over the Mavericks was their best win of the year.
A response was needed after their 24-goal loss to the Swifts the week before and a response was given by the GIANTS.
They won every quarter to upset the Mavericks in front of their home crowd, winning 66-59.
The defensive pairing of McDonnell and Ward clicked, finishing the game with nine gains between them, and the GIANTS had 16 deflections,12 gains and gave away just 42 penalties collectively in the win.
Maddie Hay made her return to the line up in this fixture and hit the court running.
The creative midcourter had 35 feeds and 18 assists, highlighting her importance to the GIANTS offensive game.
MVP
Jamie-Lee Price may have won the GIANTS official MVP, and is without a doubt their best player, but there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that Maddie Hay is the GIANTS most important player.
Hay played the final eight games of the season, which coincided with the GIANTS uptick in form.
The creative wing attack racked up 238 feeds, 133 centre pass receives and 108 assists over the course of her eight games and was vital in their two wins over the Mavericks and Firebirds, averaging 35.5 feeds and 19.5 assists in those two fixtures.
Hay’s attacking strength benefited Jamie-Lee Price as well.
By taking some of the attacking load off Price’s shoulders, Hay allowed the Diamonds star to flourish defensively, and the GIANTS are a better outfit, at both ends of the court, because of it.
Hopefully for GIANTS fans they won’t have to wait until round seven to see Hay in action in 2025.
Maddie Hay has a big influence on the GIANTS attack.FOCUS AREA
The 2025 pre-season will be all about building connections for the GIANTS.
Ward and McDonnell are an extremely exciting prospect in defence, and we saw signs throughout the season that when it clicks there is plenty of ball to be won for the GIANTS.
But like any new pairing, connection comes over time and another (much longer) pre-season should see good growth and more synergy from that duo, as they learn more about each other’s game.
In attack, it’s time to back in Matisse Letherbarrow.
The youngster has shown time and again she has what it takes to perform at SSN level and while Jo Harten will go down as one of the greats of the game, it is time for Letherbarrow to get the nod in the starting seven.
Sophie Dwyer is more than ready to lead the attack for the GIANTS and over time her and Letherbarrow could develop into one of the more fearsome goal circles in the competition, with both players strong one point and two-point shooters.
As it stands the GIANTS have one spot left in their contracted ten and mid court depth is how they should utilise it.
We’ve outlined the value of Maddie Hay to this GIANTS side on offence, but having versatility in the wing attack role is of the upmost importance for Julie Fitzgerald’s side next season, to ensure they don’t become too one-dimensional in attack.
Training partner Gina Crampton seems the obvious option and would give opposition defences something else to think about when the GIANTS come to town in 2025.
