GEITZ REUNITES FROM SIDELINES
GOAL attack Gretel Tippett is looking forward to seeing a familiar face courtside today when her Firebirds host the Magpies.
Making her debut on Channel 9’s Super Netball coverage will be former teammate and netball great Laura Geitz.
“It’s going to be weird seeing ‘G’ on the sideline,” Gold Coast product Tippett, known as ‘Aunty Grets’ to Geitz’s little boy Barney, said.
“It’s going to be hard not running over there and giving her a big hug ... (but) yeah, got to be professional.”
A three-time domestic title winner with the Firebirds and two-time world champion with the Diamonds, Geitz retired last year. As she begins her media career, the 31-yearold is pregnant with her second child.
It will be a doubly special occasion for the Firebirds today with the team playing their first official match at the $44 million Queensland State Netball Centre.
“That will be awesome to be a part of it .... on the other side of the sidelines,” Geitz said.
“The commentary is a great way to stay involved in the game, but just from a different angle.”
For the current crop of Firebirds, the new stadium has been a blessing. Previously, they were forced to venture all over Brisbane for training sessions, gym work, and visits to the physio and doctors.
“It cuts out so much travel time,” Tippett said. “We can get so much more done and be so much more productive.
“I think we’re still pinching ourselves that it’s for us.”
In front of 5000 fans, the icing on the cake will be a win over the Magpies, who arrive after upstaging the reigning premiers the Lightning.
The Firebirds suffered a first-round loss to the Vixens (73-61) after leading 19-15 at quarter-time.
“I think we gained a lot of confidence from the first half particularly,” Tippett said.
“If we could keep playing like we did in that first quarter for the rest of the three that would be ideal.”
Fledgling Firebirds defenders goal defence Kim Jenner, 21, and goal keeper Tara Hinchliffe, 20, will again be in the spotlight against Magpies pair Shimona Nelson and Nat Medhurst.
“It was pretty brutal first round for them,” Geitz said. “But, you’re biggest learning lessons are from your losses, not your wins
“Tara and Kim had never played a full game together in the SSN (Super Netball). They are going to be unreal ... they just need time together.”
IF WE COULD KEEP PLAYING LIKE WE DID IN THAT FIRST QUARTER FOR THE REST OF THE THREE THAT WOULD BE IDEAL
FIREBIRD GRETEL TIPPETT