By Chloe Pilkington
The final round of the regular season saw the GIANTS pull off a remarkable comeback over the Melbourne Vixens at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Although the Vixens have secured their spot in the top four, the Melbourne side were gunning for a formidable win over the GIANTS to build confidence going into the finals.
But it was the orange army who stormed home, leaving everything out on court in their last game of the 2023 season.
It was a confident start for the Vixens, with Kiera Austin finding Mwai Kumwenda with ease under the post.
Down the other end, the GIANTS attack line were under plenty of pressure by the Vixens’ defensive duo of Emily Mannix and Jo Weston.
Trailing by three, Jo Harten was unable to sink her first Super Shot of the match, but the visitors couldn’t punish, with Austin missing a two-pointer attempt.
The radar was on for GIANTS’ shooter Sophie Dwyer, draining a Super Shot on the buzzer as the Vixens went into quarter time with a one-goal lead.
A seesawing second term saw plenty of turnover ball, as both sides struggled to settle. But the Vixens continued to hold their lead, coming away with crucial pick-ups across the court.
As the Power Five began, Matisse Letherbarrow made her first appearance of the game for the GIANTS. The goal shooter made an instant impact, nailing an all-important Super Shot to bring her side back within two.
At the other end of the court, Kiera Austin was up for the challenge slotting in her own two-pointer and momentum continued to stay with the Vixens going into half time.
Emily Mannix really came into action, pulling off two textbook intercepts early in the third quarter. The Vixens’ goalkeeper finished the game with a total of four intercepts and two deflections.
Youngster Erin O’Brien made her debut for the GIANTS, going in at goalkeeper. The 18-year-old didn’t shy away from the challenge against veteran Mwai Kumwenda, managing to pull off a crucial deflection as the GIANTS fell behind.
After an impressive run of Super Shots from both sides, Kumwenda dropped a two-pointer on the buzzer and the Vixens still held a four-goal lead. But with the GIANTS still in firing range, there was a massive final quarter to be played out.
Amy Sligar entered the game at wing attack for the GIANTS and gave the ball confidently to Dwyer and Harten under the post. A shot off the hands of Dwyer brought the margin back to one.
An offensive contact against Kumwenda saw the GIANTS level the score at 55-55 as the final Power Five siren rang.
Keira Austin cracked under pressure, missing a Super Shot and Tilly McDonnell came up with a critical rebound in her 50th milestone match.
As the score was all tied up, the hosts chose to play down the clock, with Harten eventually taking a 1-point goal, with the GIANTS centre pass to follow.
Sophie Dwyer brought the house down with a Super Shot on the buzzer and the GIANTS finished their 2023 season with a 60-57 victory over the Vixens in front of their home crowd.
The GIANTS had plenty of motivation to take out the win, with April Brandley playing her last match of her incredible 12-year career. The masterclass defender gave everything she had in her final game, racking up three intercepts and three deflections.
The Vixens will now prepare for the minor semifinal next week against the West Coast Fever at RAC Arena.
