Firebirds snatch home opener

By Rosie Gale

In a thrilling rematch that echoed their dominant performance the last time these teams met, the Queensland Firebirds roared to life, securing a three-goal victory over the GIANTS at Nissan Arena.

In the opening term, the Firebirds came out firing on all cylinders, showcasing savvy and patient play that left the GIANTS scrambling to keep up.

Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Remi Kamo stood tall in defense, turning every turnover into a scoring opportunity, while Donnell Wallam's prolific scoring spree put the Firebirds firmly in control. Despite Tippah Dwan's quieter contribution on the scoreboard, her on-court direction was instrumental in the Firebirds' early dominance.

Donnell Wallam was brilliant as a focal point in attack, raking in a whopping 41 Nissan Net Points while also scoring 19 from 19 in the first quarter alone. 

The GIANTS found themselves challenged to halt the Firebirds' swift transitions, grappling with difficulties in the midcourt. Meanwhile, Hulita Veve's formidable defense effectively neutralised Chelsea Pitman– a pivotal matchup. 

In a collision between Jodi-Ann Ward and Lara Dunkley, Ward emerged with a visible limp, a worrying development for the GIANTS as they struggled to regain their stride in the match. And a strategic timeout from the frustrated GIANTS signaled their desperation as the Firebirds built a commanding six-goal buffer.

Jo Harten missed a crucial Super Shot and Wallam's buzzer-beater sent a resounding message, closing the quarter at 21-11 in favour of the Firebirds.

As the second quarter unfolded, the GIANTS attempted to swing the momentum in their favour- injecting Sam Winders into the fray. Her immediate impact, orchestrating a turnover for Matilda McDonnell, hinted at a comeback for the team in orange. Winders did well to disrupt the Firebird's rhythm but Wallam continued to dominate proceedings, outscoring the entire opposition single-handedly. 

Sensing a GIANTS' comeback the Firebirds strategically called a timeout. Harten and Dwyer's Super Shots momentarily narrowed the gap, but Wallam and Dwan quickly responded. 

After an admirable resurgence, the GIANTS found themselves trailing by just four points (36-32) at the end of the quarter, setting the stage for a fiercely contested second half.

In the third term, Lara Dunkley was busy with 20 goal assists, 13 centre pass receive, 37 feeds, an intercept and two deflections while Macy Gardner similarly had her hands full in the centre position. As a fired-up GIANTS took the game to the Firebirds, some crucial defensive efforts from Winders and Ward brought the team to life, but the home side finished with a flurry to end the third quarter seven points ahead.

50th gamer Sophie Dwyer, rebounded from a slow start to find her scoring rhythm. While Ward showed flashes of brilliance, but consistency eluded her.

A moment of brilliance from Tippah Dwan, orchestrating a sensational passage of play that culminated in a goal for Wallam, showcased the Firebirds' patience and flair. Veve's composure under pressure yielded turnovers, allowing the Firebirds to capitalise on their opportunities.

Despite a spirited effort from the GIANTS, highlighted by Dwyer's impressive Super Shots, the Firebirds maintained their grip on the lead heading into the final quarter, with the scoreboard reading 51-44 in their favour.

In the fourth quarter, the GIANTS desperately needed a spark to mount a comeback. Winders stepped up with a crucial turnover, setting the stage for Harten and Dwyer to capitalise on the offensive end. Despite the GIANTS' resilience and Ward's pivotal turnover and subsequent conversion by Harten, the Firebirds remained composed under pressure.

As the stakes soared, the Firebirds exhibited grit, snatching every loose ball with determination. Utilising strategic timeouts and swift transitions from the center, they maintained their edge, ultimately clinching a hard-fought victory over the GIANTS. With a final scoreline of 65-62, the Firebirds secured their maiden triumph in the 2024 campaign, igniting their season with a strong win at home.