By Rosie Gale
From a slow start to a resounding triumph, GIANTS Netball staged a remarkable comeback over Sunshine Coast Lightning, securing a thrilling 70-64 victory at Ken Rosewall Arena.
The momentum swung back and forth, with both teams leaving it all out on the court, but it was the GIANTS' unrivalled Super Shot accuracy and Amy Parmenter's outstanding performance that proved too formidable for the Lightning.
The Lightning were strong early, registering three goals in a clinical display in the first few minutes.
The dominant pairing of Cara Koenen and Steph Wood posed a significant challenge for the visiting team, while the saide's relentless full-court pressure and strategic box set-up created major headaches for the GIANTS in the early stages of their attacking plays.
The initial strategic time-out was signaled by GIANTS coach Julie Fitzgerald, taking place slightly past the nine-minute mark.
After the break, Parmenter swung the momentum in favour of the GIANTS with a crucial intercept, while Sophie Dwyer sealed the moment with a settling goal.
In a spirited display, the team in orange clawed their way back, bringing the margin to just two goals right before the Power Five kicked in. Sensing the momentum shift, the Lightning swiftly called a tactical timeout to regroup and counter the resurgence.
A trademark Lauren Moore intercept shifted momentum and Matisse Letherbarrow seized the opportunity as she stepped up and coolly sank a decisive Super Shot, catapulting the GIANTS into a precarious one-point lead.
The GIANTS came back with another Super Shot from Dwyer and the team in orange gained control of the quarter.
Wood provided physicality and drive out of the contest, but a flurry of Super Shots to the GIANTS resulted in them locking up the scores to 16 a piece as the quarter-time whistle rang.
It was more of the same in the second term, with plenty of end-to-end play.
A strategic change saw Charlie Bell take the court as the Lightning's goal shooter (GS), resulting in Koenen shifting to goal attack (GA) and Wood transitioning to wing attack (WA).
The two talls in the circle for the Lightning challenged the home side’s defenders but some great footwork from April Brandley and a pick up from Moore shifted momentum and the team in orange took out the lead to two after seven minutes of play.
But it was Koenen who made it count on the scoreboard, netting consecutive goals in quick succession after a tactical time-out called by Belinda Reynolds. Bell was benched, reverting to the original shooting combination.
With a precise Super Shot executed by Wood, the Lightning extended their lead to four points. However, Letherbarrow wasted no time in retaliating with a swift goal, ensuring the GIANTS remained within striking distance.
Jo Harten sat out the GIANTS' round 10 clash with the Lightning on Saturday afternoon. The 34-year-old had aggravated a previous injury to her left knee in round six and had missed last week's match in an attempt to settle the symptoms. Karla Pretorius was impactful across the court in defense, while Scherian led higher up the ground to work into the game and generate some attacking transition for the Lightning.
Letherborrow sank a Super Shot with the 30 seconds to go in the second term, locking it up 30-30, but Koenen responded with a goal on the buzzer. Parmenter once again showed her grit defensively, but the home team went into the main break trailing by one point.
The Lightning put their foot down in the third term, leading by three as the Power Five approached but the GIANTS were always in the contest and came alive in the back half of the quarter.
Ava Black entered the court as WD, providing a strong defensive match-up against Maddie Hay. Meanwhile, Tilly McDonell took over as GK for the GIANTS, with Moore taking a seat on the bench.
Parmenter’s game was pivotal for the home side, with two interceptions, six deflections and 68.5 Nissan Net Points to her name.
Letherbarrow scored the opening Super Shot of the term, and it was followed by one from Dwyer. Wood responded with one of her own and Lightning led by four. Dwyer and Letherbarrow scored another couple Super Shots to take them to a razor-thin 51-50 lead into the final term.
GIANT’s defenders battened down the hatches in the opening part of the fourth quarter.
Scherian gave away a crucial contact penalty and the GIANTS scored a quick succession of goals.
The GIANT’s strong defensive game was rewarded not long after, with another intercept from Parmenter in the pocket, leading a four goal lead at just over half way in the final quarter.
As the pressure intensified, the visitors found themselves facing a crucial Power Five phase. In a blow for the Lightening Koenen went down with a suspected ankle injury, prompting Bell to step up as GS.
Both sides traded goals in the middle portion of the term but the GIANTS had answers at the right moments.
The Lightening put the pressure on but it wasn't enough to shut down the GIANTS' attack. Dwyer and Letherburrow were excellent for the full four quarters and finished just as strong in the final minutes.
Letherburrow sealed the six-goal win with a Super Shot on the buzzer, stifling any chance of a Lightning comeback.
