Gabi desperate to regain Queensland crown
GABI Simpson has declared the Firebirds want to be Queensland’s No.1 team as they prepare to go into battle with the Sunshine Coast Lightning on Sunday.
The two sides will meet in a knockout final this weekend, in what is shaping to be an exciting showdown after Sunshine Coast skipper Geva Mentor claimed the Firebirds didn’t recognise the Lightning as the other Queensland team.
While Firebirds skipper Simpson denied those suggestions, she did say her team would not take a backwards step come Sunday.
The Lightning claimed the championship in their inaugural season last year, while the Firebirds missed the finals altogether.
And Simpson said their door-die clash gave the Firebirds the chance to regain their status as the best team in the Sunshine State.
“We want to be the best team in Queensland, so that drives us,” Simpson said.
“Watching the finals unfold last year was a hard task. That has really driven us to be better this year and work out what we were missing.
“We’re not happy with just being in the finals. We want to go all the way.
“The Lightning will be a huge challenge. They’re one of the best teams so what better way to test ourselves?” Giants Fever Firebirds Lightning Vixens NSW Swifts Magpies Adelaide P W 14 10 14 10 14 9 14 8 14 8 14 6 14 3 14 0 L 3 4 5 5 6 7 10 14 D 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 65 61 107 57 41 -22 -57 -272 Pts 76 71 69 69 59 48 39 4