The GIANTS continue their build for an exciting 2024 Suncorp Super Netball campaign, with promising signs the result of two pre-season matches in Ballarat over the weekend.
With a new-look side – welcoming three new faces – the GIANTS are building for a return to the Super Netball finals series, with the weekend’s matches and respective learnings another piece in their finals series build.
Saturday’s game against the Adelaide Thunderbirds was one of two halves, with GIANTS head coach Julie Fitzgerald utilising the depth of her full bench.
A strong opening half saw the charcoal-dressed GIANTS hold the lead at the first three breaks, before a young GIANTS line-up were out-run in the final 15 minutes to go down to the reigning premiers by just four goals.
Training partners Kelly Singelton and Monika ‘Otai joined Sophie Dwyer in the circle, with Matisse Letherbarrow missing the weekend’s matches due to injury and Jo Harten rested for the first game of the weekend.
Singleton showed her class and experience at the elite level, while ‘Otai showed promising signs for her first time against Super Netball opposition.
It marked the first time the duo, as well as former Silver Fern Gina Crampton, combined with their GIANTS teammates outside of intra-club matches.
The two sides will face off in less than a week, with both teams part of Pool B for this weekend’s Suncorp Team Girls Cup fixture in Sydney.
Sunday’s game showed a dominant display from the GIANTS, as they remained composed to hold off a fighting Fever.
The GIANTS’ defence had a strong campaign outside of a spell in the second quarter, to restrict the Fever’s high-scoring goal circle led by Jamaican Jhaniele Fowler.
The new trio of Jodi-Ann Ward, Tilly McDonell and Erin O’Brien is building at a rapid pace this pre-season, with any version of the combination making an impact at different times.
Harten and Dwyer remained consistent throughout Sunday’s match, finding their range in the power five time, while Jamie-Lee Price was reliable as ever throughout the midcourt.
GIANTS head coach Julie Fitzgerald said she was pleased with the weekend’s effort and where the team is at.
“Across the board we’re seeing continual improvement and if we keep on this trajectory, I think we’ll be in a good place come round one,” Fitzgerald said.
“I think the weekend showed once again the depth and versatility in our squad this year. It’s an extremely valuable component to the make-up of our team and one I look forward to utilising throughout the season.
“We learnt a lot about both opposition teams on the weekend – they both boast different line ups, so it’s certainly been deemed as an invaluable opportunity ahead of the season.”
The GIANTS will complete a shorter training week this week, ahead of three matches across the weekend at the league’s official pre-season tournament, the Team Girls Cup, in Sydney.
Tickets to the weekend’s matches can be purchased via Ticketek.
