Coach Julie Fitzgerald has responded after the GIANTS lost by one goal to the Sunshine Coast Lightning with goal defence Kristiana Manu’a sent off court.
Fitzgerald - the most capped coach in the history of the National Netball League - said she can’t recall seeing a player sent off court in the manner Manu’a was last night.
“I can’t remember the last time it happened,” Fitzgerald said.
“(It’s) very, very rare, I cannot remember the last time anyone was sent off in circumstances like that.
“I know at our level it hasn’t happened very often so you would imagine it would be something completely out of the box that would send a player off from the court.”
Manu’a was given a warning by the umpire for rough conduct before being sent off for two minutes in the third quarter.
Another incident just minutes into the final quarter was deemed to also be rough conduct, with Manu’a sent off for the remainder of the game and unable to be replaced.
“There’s two incidents there I want to have a good look at again before I make any comment on that, other than to say I’m immensely proud of the effort they put up tonight,” Fitzgerald said immediately after the match.
"I think we played for almost 10 minutes with six players on court and I’m really proud of the discipline they showed to try and keep the game under control for all that time with no goal defence.”
The GIANTS were in a commanding position with a seven-goal lead before having to play the final nine-and-a-half minutes of the match with six players on court.
The heart-breaking loss leaves the GIANTS with one win and a draw from their first five games and in sixth spot on the ladder.
But Fitzgerald commended the way her players came out against the two-time premiership winners and how they fought out the game.
“I told them I was immensely proud of them,” Fitzgerald said.
“I told them to come out tonight with a whole lot of spirit and I asked them to really make sure that every single ball we played tonight counted and that we really put out best effort out there.
“We know we’re in trouble on the ladder now and I wanted them to show that we can run with the best teams.
“I think Lightning is well and truly one of the best so to be able to put that performance out there signifies that we are good enough.”
Fitzgerald said she is seeking clarification from the governing body following the send-off.
“I’ve been around long enough to know, the score is the score and that’s where it stands but we will speak to the League to get some clarity.”
