The GIANTS took centre stage in Ballarat over the weekend as part of the Melbourne Vixens’ annual Ballarat Blitz.
Facing off against two of the competition's powerhouse teams, it proved a timely and invaluable test in the pre-season preparations for Julie Fitzgerald’s side.
The weekend’s opening match saw the GIANTS go head-to-head with the West Coast Fever.
A slow start proved costly for the team in orange, as the GIANTS fell short by six goals in a hard-fought encounter.
The Fever made their mark in the second quarter, dominating the GIANTS with relentless pressure and fast-paced play, winning the period by 11 goals and pushing their lead out to 15 at half-time.
Despite the challenging first half, the GIANTS came out strong after the extended break, turning the tide and winning the second half.
Their strong defensive efforts and increased intensity in attack saw them close the gap, highlighting their resilience and ability to fight back when under pressure.
Hope White was impressive after her delayed start to the game. She came on part way through the first quarter to replace Hay and found space and drive in attack.
The second match of the weekend’s regional Victoria Blitz saw the GIANTS take on back-to-back reigning premiers, the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
The GIANTS started with a strong defensive foundation, managing to keep the Thunderbirds to single digits in the opening quarter, thanks to their exceptional pressure and solid defensive structures.
However, the second quarter saw a shift as the Thunderbirds ramped up their attack, doubling the GIANTS’ score and establishing a five-goal lead at half-time.
The GIANTS responded in the second half with a series of positional changes and a shift in strategy that saw them bring the game back on their terms. Their fighting spirit brought them within a single goal as they entered the final quarter.
But despite a strong finish, it was the composure of the Thunderbirds that ultimately secured the win, as they controlled the final term to claim victory by three goals.
With Jodi-Ann Ward on managed minutes for the weekend, Kelea Iongi (training partner) and Jamie Podmore-Taylor (GIANTS Academy) shared the circle with young gun Erin O’Brien.
The team’s defensive resolve shone through, with the GIANTS recording 28 possession gains, just two fewer than the Thunderbirds, showcasing their ability to win back the ball in key moments.
GIANTS head coach Julie Fitzgerald reflected on the weekend:
“These games were exactly what we needed at this stage of pre-season,” she said.
“We got to face two quality opponents, and while the results weren’t in our favour, we’ve learned a lot.
“The effort, the fight, and the commitment were all there and we’re going to build on these performances and continue to grow as a team.
“There’s a lot of promise, and I’m certainly excited for what lies ahead as we continue to fine-tune our game over the final month of pre-season.”
The GIANTS will next test themselves when they participate in the league’s official pre-season tournament, the Suncorp Team Girls Cup, in Adelaide next weekend.
