Unbeaten Giants see off spirited challenge from gutsy Firebirds
THE Giants continued their unbeaten start to the Super Netball season with an impressive 67-60 win over the Queensland Firebirds.
It was a chilly night inside the Ken Rosewall Arena, but the Giants brought it home with a blistering second-half performance against one of the competition’s most dangerous sides.
After going into the final quarter with a 13-point lead – largely thanks to the combination of Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer in the circle – the Giants kicked on to win a thrilling contest, despite a fighting effort from the Firebirds.
The result sees them extend their lead at the top of the ladder, while the Firebirds remain fourth.
“It’s nice to get three wins on the board, I don’t think we should look too far ahead, but we’ve got to celebrate the here and now,” said Giants captain Harten.
“We tried to remain calm. We knew it was going to be a goal-forgoal first quarter and we worked to suss them out a bit. Space opens up when you’re patient with the Firebirds.”
There was no separating the two teams at the end of the first quarter, which ended all square at 14-14.
It was a fast-paced game and the speed of it continued into the second quarter, but it was the Giants who grew in confidence as the game edged towards halftime.
Harten continually got herself into good positions and her accurate shooting saw the home side sneak into the lead.
Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald was all smiles courtside as the match turned. Harten hustled with the Firebirds’ defence as the Giants went into a 37-30 lead at the end of a fiery first half.
Much of the Firebirds’ hopes rested with the combination of Bueta and Romelda Aiken in the circle, while defensively they needed to find a way to stop Harten.