The Gold Coast Bulletin

Lightning strikes yet again

Joe looks to make name

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DEFENDING champions Sunshine Coast Lightning will play West Coast Fever in the Super Netball grand final after ousting minor premiers the Giants in the preliminar­y final.

The Lightning won 59-50 on the Giants’ home court in Sydney yesterday to earn spot in the title decider.

The Fever qualified a week earlier after beating the Giants in Sydney in the major semi.

The Giants had two chances to secure a spot in the grand final but – like the Melbourne a Vixens last year – they could not make the most of home-court advantage. The Lightning had the hardest finals route and now face the longest trip of all, to Perth, for Sunday’s decider.

JUNIOR NETBALL: Thursday

JOE Burns’ past two Tests have been among the most controvers­ial in the recent history of the Australian game.

He was dropped, along with almost half the side, after the infamous Hobart Test loss in 2017 and recalled after Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were axed amid the tampering scandal in South Africa.

Now he wants to end that run and earn a spot this summer.

“I had some really positive chats with selectors after the Johannesbu­rg Test,’’ Burns said.

 ??  ?? Lightning players celebrate.
Lightning players celebrate.

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