By Rosie Gale
The GIANTS produced some scintillating netball and a gritty final few minutes but it wasn’t enough to rock the AdelaideThunderbirds’ who snuck through with a four-point victory at Ken Rosewall Arena.
The orange army were clinical early on and rode the momentum in the later parts of the first half but the Thunderbirds showed their experience in the final quarter to seal the win.
Jo Harten sent a message early with a couple of easy passes to the circle edge, and a goal under the post to open the match. While Lauren Moore did well in defence for the GIANTS, putting the pressure on Eleanor Cardwell and coming through with two aerial intercepts in the first term.
But both sides were clinical early, with the defensive pressure not really making an impact on either side.
Georgie Horjus did well in attack for the Thunderbirds, with eight goal assists, six centre pass receives and 13 feeds.
The GIANTS looked like they were finding space and their use of the ball was impressive, but the Thunderbirds found a small lead in the Power Five, forcing a tactical timeout call by GIANTS coach Julie Fitzgerald.
Amy Parmenter came through with an important intercept and the defence were able to push the Thunderbirds wide, making it difficult for them in attack. Some patient play and a Super Shot from Sophie Dwyer helped them stay within reach of the team in pink.
The Thunderbirds lead the GIANTS by five (18-13) at the end of the first term.
The GIANTS' smart choices of pass is how they got themselves back into the contest in the second quarter, while the Thunderbirds had moments of poor decision-making and messy play.
The physicality ramped up with a lot more one-on-one marking. Sterling put her aerial skills on display, coming through with a strong intercept, which as rewarded by Cardwell down the other end.
Jamie-Lee Price was dominant in the opening part of the second quarter on Tayla Williams, with 12 feeds, four goal assists and 24.5 Nissan Net Points.
Tippah Dwan was quiet and Cardwell struggled to pull in a few wayward balls.
With a five-goal lead the Thunderbirds called a tactical time-out with just over seven minutes to go in the second term.
But the GIANTS were able to claw their way back to within two just before the Power Five after Harten set a screen and allowed Dwyer to sneak in a Super Shot in the first few seconds.
The momentum was with the GIANTS and Harten slotted in another Super Shot to level the scores.
Cardwell responded with one of her own and then Sterling was able to block Dwyer’s shot and force a held ball.
GIANTS failed to score a last minute Super Shot though and trailed Adelaide by three (28-31) going into the second half.
Early in the third quarter, it was a slog for the Thunderbirds as they struggled to maintain possession while the Giants capitalised on their scoring chances under the post.
The attack duo of Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer had the better of the Thunderbirds, while Amy Parmenter pressure across court was impressive.
The Thunderbirds called a tactical timeout and Dwan was benched. Cardwell was moved out front to GA while Lucy Austin came on in GS.
An intercept from Latanya Wilson on the circle edge took the wind out of the sails of the GIANTS but the Thunderbirds couldn’t convert.
Shamera Sterling unleashed her best in the third term, being the No.1 ranked player on the court with 39 Nissan Net Points to her name during the quarter, two rebounds and two deflections but Adelaide’s attack line couldn't reward her.
Giants Coach Julie Fitzgerald called a tactical time out with just one minute out from Power Five as the score was 35 apiece. Hannah Petty came on in C and made an immediate impact.
Another wayward ball from the Thunderbirds meant GK Lauren Moore could come in with the turnover and a booming mid-range Super Shot slotted by Dwyer helped ignite the GIANTS lead.
The Thunderbirds were lucky to keep possession after Cardwell missed a penalty Super Shot with 30 seconds to go, and slotted in a goal to level up the score 40 apiece.
Harten then scored a penalty goal on the buzzer. Playing determined netball, the GIANTS took a 1-point lead into the final change.
The GIANTS knew the Thunderbirds would come, and they did: a quick succession of goals and an intercept from Hannah Petty brought them back a two goal lead.
An offensive contact call from Austin set up the GIANTS for a comeback, but Harten couldn’t convert and it was Adelaide’s throw-in. Austin made amends with a goal under the post.
In the Power Five Harten missed her third attempt at a Super Shot but was able to sneak in a goal under the post, the team in orange now trailing by one.
Cardwell scored a Super Shot under pressure but Harten returned one of her own down the other end.
Another offensive contact from Austin gave the GIANTS a glimmer of hope but Petty got it back for the Thunderbirds with a stunning intercept.
Sterling proved why she is number one for defensive rebounds in the competition when she nabbed a crucial one from Harten's missed Super Shot. But again, the Thunderbirds couldn’t convert.
It would have been a sliding doors moment for the GIANTS season but another miss from Harten and a pick up saw the Thunderbirds hold possession. The team in pink finished off with a goal. With just 30 seconds to go and with a Thunderbirds centre pass, the opportunity slipped away for the GIANTS.
The Thunderbirds sealed the win 54-50 at Ken Rosewall Arena.
