The GIANTS have gone down to the Adelaide Thunderbirds by eight goals in round two of Suncorp Super Netball at Nissan Arena in Brisbane.
After a slow start the GIANTS found momentum late in the opening quarter and managed to take a five-goal lead into the first break courtesy of captain Jo Harten who sunk three from four Suncorp Super Shot’s in the first Rebel Power Five.
However, the second quarter proved too costly in the end for the GIANTS, with the team in orange outscored 8-19.
Thunderbirds’ circle partners Lenize Potgieter (43/45) and Georgie Horjus (12/16) were the perfect targets for the Adelaide side who have been flagged as underdogs for the 2020 season.
Adelaide led by six goals at three-quarter time and needed to hold their nerve to keep at bay the talented and skilful GIANTS.
The GIANTS utilised their bench and trialled numerous combinations with the likes of starting seven players Jo Harten, Caitlin Bassett and Sam Poolman spending time on the sideline.
Shamera Sterling and Kate Shimmin looked to have an edge over the GIANTS’ shooting circle, with all three shooters struggling to perform at their best.
The GIANTS put everything on the line in the final quarter to turn the game around and record their first win.
A few gains from Sam Poolman in keeper and crucial Suncorp Super Shot from Kiera Austin gave the GIANTS a sniff, but they were unable to restrict the Thunderbirds who were determined to take the four points.
The GIANTS will now face a short turnaround before kicking off mid-week netball on Tuesday August 11, against the West Coast Fever.
Score breakdown
Q1: GIANTS 19 v Thunderbirds 14
Q2: GIANTS 8 v Thunderbirds 19
Q3: GIANTS 12 v Thunderbirds 12
Q4: GIANTS 12 v Thunderbirds 14
Nissan Player of The Match – Kate Shimmin (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
GIANTS shooting statistics
Caitlin Bassett – Total points - 12 G1 - 12/15 (80%) G2 - 0/1 (0%)
Jo Harten – Total points - 26 G1 - 14/17 (82%) G2 - 6/13 (46%)
Kiera Austin - Total points - 13 G1 - 9/14 (64%) G2 - 2/9 (22%)
G1 = shots during normal play.
G2 = Suncorp Super Shots taken during the Rebel Power five period.
Thunderbirds shooting statistics
Lenize Potgieter – Total points - 44 G1 - 42/44 (95%) G2 - 1/1 (100%)
Georgie Horjus - Total points - 15 G1 - 9/11 (82%) G2 - 3/5 (60%)
Samantha Gooden - Total points - 0 G1 - 0/0 (0%) G2 - 0/3 (0%)
GIANTS starting seven: GS - Caitlin Bassett GA - Jo Harten WA - Kiera Austin C - Jamie-Lee Price WD - Amy Parmenter GD - Kristiana Manu'a GK - Sam Poolman
Thunderbirds starting seven: GS - Lenize Potgieter GA - Georgie Horjus WA - Chelsea Pitman C - Maisie Nankivell WD - Shadine Van Der Merwe GD - Kate Shimmin GK - Shamera Sterling
