The GIANTS Academy were challenged in their second outing at the Australian Netball Championships, going down to the Southern Force by eight goals.
The GIANTS entered the match off a convincing opening-round win over Tasmania, with the Force coming off a tough one-goal loss to the Victoria Fury.
The GIANTS led at the first break after five unanswered goals to end the opening quarter.
“It was a really tough hit out,” said Head Coach Ali Tucker-Munro.
“We had a good start, I just think we didn’t absorb the pressure when it was put on us.”
The Force lifted their intensity and responded to the GIANTS’ attack, able to get multiple runs on goal and hold the lead at the half-time break.
Building on their gradual momentum in the second half, Force continued to build their lead.
The GIANTS looked for answers with different combinations, but weren’t able to capitalise and break down the Force’s connections.
“They just really pressured every contest, whenever we took a ball we were under pressure,” she said.
“Credit to them they were able to put themselves in a really good defensive position. And that comes back to us needing to do the work early, in terms of getting into position early.”
Newly contracted Adelaide Thunderbirds shooter, Lucy Austin, was a clear target and contributed to the Force’s win.
“She is a great target for them," said Tucker-Munro.
“What becomes critical with a tall shooter like that is the work that’s done up the court. Making sure we had good high hands over, that we were able to challenge them to not feed on circles edge and to back our goalkeeper to be able contest some of that ball.”
