It was a ferocious start to the match, with both teams hitting the ball hard and asserting their playstyle on the game early.
GIANTS defenders Sam Poolman and Kristiana Manu’a played physical, aggressive netball all night, wearing down Magpies shooters Shimona Nelson and Nat Medhurst and creating vital turnovers throughout the game.
With so many changes to the squad from last season, the GIANTS have looked very disconnected in the early stages of the 2019 season. But things seem to be clicking, particularly in attack where Caitlin Bassett poured in a season high 40-goals.
The Magpies were sloppy in the second quarter and struggled to get any flow into their game, as the GIANTS took a 26 to 23 goal lead into the half time break.
Shimona Nelson played a lone hand for the Magpies in attack, shooting 43 of Collingwood’s 50-goals. Head coach Rob Wright will have to find a way to get Medhurst and Gabi Sinclair more involved as the season progresses.
It was more of the same in the third, as the GIANTS continued to frustrate the Magpies and play the game on their own terms.
GIANTS young-gun Amy Parmenter had a huge game at wing defence, earning herself the Nissan Player of the Match award. She was instrumental in stifling the Magpies normally fluid ball movement and offered an outlet pass to her teammates all game.
The GIANTS went into the final quarter with a handy eight goal lead and, thanks to some brilliant defensive play by Parmenter and steady shooting by Bassett, were able to break away from the Magpies and secure their first win of the 2019 season.
The Magpies will be keen to get their groove back as they take on the struggling Thunderbirds next Friday at Melbourne Arena. And the GIANTS will be looking for win number two against the Firebirds in Brisbane.
Score breakdown
Q1: GIANTS 11 v Magpies 12
Q2: GIANTS 15 v Magpies 11
Q3: GIANTS 17 v Magpies 12
Q4: GIANTS 15 v Magpies 15
Suncorp Super Netball Premiership Points
GIANTS – 6
Magpies – 1
Nissan Player of the Match
Amy Parmenter – GIANTS Netball
GIANTS shooting statistics
Caitlin Bassett: 40/42 (95.2%)
Jo Harten: 17/25 (68%)
Magpies shooting statistics
Shimona Nelson: 43/50 (86%)
Nat Medhurst: 6/9 (66.7%)
Gabi Sinclair: 1/2 (50%)
GIANTS starting seven:
GS – Caitlin Bassett, GA – Jo Harten, WA – Kim Green, C – Jamie-Lee Price, WD – Amy Parmenter, GD – Kristiana Manu’a, GK – Sam Poolman
Magpies starting seven:
GS – Shimona Nelson, GA – Nat Medhurst, WA – Kelsey Browne, C – Kim Ravaillion, WD – Ash Brazill, GD – April Brandley, GK – Geva Mentor
VIEW MATCH CENTRE
