There was plenty on the line in this game, with a strong win having the potential to put the winner in top spot while the loser could potentially find themselves out of the Rebel Sport ladder’s top four by the end of the round.
Attack was always going to be a difficult task, with the GIANTS and Firebirds ranked as the top two defensive sides in the competition going into the game.
It came as no surprise then that the match was played with furious intensity and there were constant swings of momentum throughout.
Midway through the first quarter nothing separated the two sides, both sitting on six points in the face of strong defensive pressure at both ends.
The Firebirds broke clear first, forcing turnovers to open a four-goal advantage, silencing the home crowd.
The GIANTS were never going to stay down for long though, and some excellent service from midcourter, Kim Green, helped the home side to level the scores up once again.
A long-range bomb from Gretel Tippett on the buzzer gave the Firebirds the bonus point for the quarter, though, taking a 15-12 lead into the first break.
The GIANTS made a change at quarter time, bringing Kristina Brice into the fray at goal shooter with Jo Harten moved to goal attack and Susan Pettitt taken off.
It paid dividends, with the GIANTS going on a 5-2 run to tie up proceedings once more and force a Firebirds time out.
The home defence was frustrating the Firebirds and midway through the quarter it was the GIANTS leading by three. A late goal from Brice meant that the Sydney outfit won the bonus point for the quarter, leading 28-26 at the half-time break.
The Firebirds then brought Jemma Mi Mi in to control the centre court while Kristiana Manu’a was injected at goalkeeper for the GIANTS.
Manu’a was brought in because of her impressive record against Romelda Aiken, which immediately showed with the Firebirds goalshooter giving the ball back to the home-side over three times.
Needing a spark to shift the momentum, the Firebirds ramped up the physicality and soon closed the score back to 31-31.
That set up a grandstand finish, with no bonus point given for the drawn third quarter and the Queensland team only trailing by two goals heading into the final term.
The GIANTS brought in the reliable Sam Poolman at goalkeeper for the final quarter and it paid off, as the home side defended solidly to cling on for an important win.
Q1: Giants 12 v 15 Firebirds
Q2: Giants 16 v 11 Firebirds
Q3: Giants 13 v 13 Firebirds
Q4: Giants 12 v 12 Firebirds
Suncorp Super Netball premiership points
GIANTS 5
Firebirds 1
*2 bonus points omitted for drawn quarters
Giants shooting statistics
Kristina Brice: 27/31
Jo Harten: 18/20
Susan Pettitt: 8/9
Firebirds shooting statistics
Romelda Aiken: 32/38
Gretel Tippett: 19/19
Giants Starting Seven
GS: Jo Harten , GA: Susan Pettitt , WA: Kim Green , C: Serena Guthrie , WD: Jamie-Lee Price , GD: Bec Bulley , GK: Sam Poolman
Firebirds Starting Seven
GS: Romelda Aiken , GA: Gretel Tippett , WA: Caitlyn Nevins , C: Mahalia Cassidy, WD: Gabi Simpson , GD: Tara Hinchliffe, GK: Laura Geitz
Nissan Match MVP: Jo Harten
