By Chloe Pilkington
The final match of the opening weekend for First Nations Round saw the GIANTS Netball host the Queensland Firebirds at Ken RoseWall Arena.
The GIANTS were eager to continue their winning streak, after defeating the Lightning in a close finish last week. But it was the Firebirds who wanted the win more, getting off the bottom of the ladder after nabbing the 4-points in a gutsy second half performance.
The hosts broke away after going goal-for-goal early in the opening quarter, with Jo Harten finding space easy under the post. The GIANTS’ skipper made her return to court after sitting out of last week’s match against the Lightning due to an aggravated knee injury.
Both sides showed attacking dominance early, with speedy mid-courter Leesa Mi Mi impressing in her first start for the Queensland Firebirds after making her debut last week in a 34-goal loss against the Fever.
The visitors were able to lock up the score at 7-7 after a wayward ball off the hands of GIANTS WD Amy Parmenter but Maddie Hay came through with a stunning intercept and the orange army pushed their lead out to 2.
Sharp shooting Donnell Wallam sunk the first Super Shot of the game, keeping the Firebirds in range of the GIANTS as the first quarter came to a finish (17-14).
After dominating in attack for the first fifteen, the GIANTS goal third started to unravel with an overcooked pass from Hay across the circle. The Firebirds capitalised, slimming the margin to 1-goal and the home side were forced to call the first tactical timeout.
The timeout worked in the GIANTS favour, pushing their lead out to 4-goals after a huge intercept from Jamie-Lee Price. Price topped the leader board for Nissan NetPoints, racking up 2 deflections, 2 intercepts and 17 goal assists.
Mia Stower entered the game at GS for the Firebirds, with Wallam coming off with a suspected finger injury.
Both sides lacked ball security in the second quarter, with neither team able to settle the play across court.
Harten missed her first Super Shot attempt of the match and the score was all locked up at 28 a piece going into the main break.
Despite the loss, GIANTS still had reason to celebrate with April Brandley playing her 150th national league match.The third quarter saw each teams’ defence step up another level, with Price putting her body on the line to turnover ball for her side.
Ruby Bakewell-Doran replied with her own stellar intercept, but the Firebirds struggled to reward her effort, losing the ball in the goal circle. Harten punished down the other end and the score remained all tied up at 31-31.
A timeout by the Firebirds was called as the third Power Five loomed, but neither side were able to steady with the see-sawing nature of the game continuing.
Wallam returned to court at GS, with Stower moving to the bench and the Firebirds finally found their feet, pushing forward by 2 goals and forcing another GIANTS timeout. The away side blitzed out of the timeout, taking their biggest lead of the game at the end of the third term (38-44).
The Firebirds continued their second half surge, starting strong in the final quarter. Unable to make an impact on her return, Harten moved to the bench and Matisse Letherbarrow stepped into the GS position for the GIANTS as they trailed by 8 (38-46).
The team in purple put their foot down, going on a 10-goal run as the GIANTS lacked one-on-one defence and struggled to slow the Firebirds’ attack line.
Tilly McDonell was brought into play and made an instant impact, and the GIANTS were able to claw one back with their centre pass to follow.
Despite the game starting strong in attack, the fourth quarter was a true display of defensive brilliance. Remi Kamo came through with a clinical intercept and the Firebirds continued to stun the home side. Kamo was awarded with player-of-the-match, finishing with a whopping 5 intercepts and 5 deflections.
In an attempt to bring new energy into the GIANTS side, Amy Sligar was brought into the match for the first time at C but the hosts were unable to regain control of the game.
Dwyer was forced to take Super Shots in the final Power Five but struggled to find the centre of the ring, with pressure mounting on the GIANTS as the Firebirds sat comfortably in front by 15 goals (46-61).
Leatherbarrow sunk the final 2-pointer of the night, but it was the Firebirds who finished in high spirits, taking the win after a commanding 24-goal fourth quarter.
