The GIANTS have ended a three-game losing sequence and knocked local rivals NSW Swifts off the top of the ladder with a convincing 57-41 home win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Never leading by less than three points after the first five-and-a-half minutes, the GIANTS dominated a largely one-sided clash at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday.
It was the GIANTS' biggest winning margin of the season and the Thunderbirds' largest loss.
Adelaide's final score was the lowest by any team this year.
The victory put the GIANTS on top on percentage ahead of the Swifts, but the Lightning and the West Coast Fever could go ahead of both NSW clubs if they each win their game in hand next week.
Coming off consecutive losses to the other three teams in the top four, the GIANTS had far less trouble against Thunderbirds, who were disappointing after registering back-to-back wins.
Adelaide were unable to reproduce the form they showed in last week's upset win over the Swifts, shooting at 67 per cent and making 31 general play turnovers
Their poor start was self-inflicted as they made 10 turnovers in the first quarter and shot at just 70 per cent to trail by seven at the first change.
That shooting figure dropped to 64 per cent by halftime when the GIANTS held a commanding 29-17 lead.
The GIANTS' pressure harried the Thunderbirds into errors and goalkeeper April Brandley pulled of four intercepts by halftime.
Adelaide failed to make inroads into the deficit in the third quarter, losing it 15-11 to be 44-28 behind at the final change.
Their shooting percentage dipped to 65 per cent, with Georgie Horjus missing three super shots.
Adelaide scrapped hard in the final quarter, tying it 13-13.
Jo Harten scored 28 points and Sophie Dwyer 25 for the GIANTS, who shot at 76 per cent for the game.
Score Breakdown
Q1: GIANTS 15 v Thunderbirds 8
Q2: GIANTS 29 v Thunderbirds 17
Q3: GIANTS 44 v Thunderbirds 28
Q4: GIANTS 57 v Thunderbirds 41
Player of the Match: April Brandley
GIANTS Shooting Statistics:
Jo Harten: 26/34 - 76.5%, G1: 24/28, G2: 2/6, Total Points: 28
Sophie Dwyer: 24/30 - 80%, G1: 23/28, G2: 1/2, Total Points: 25
Matisse Letherbarrow: 2/4 - 50%, G1: 0/0, G2: 2/4, Total Points: 4
GIANTS Starting Seven: GS: Jo Harten (C), GA: Sophie Dwyer, WA: Maddie Hay, C: Jamie-Lee Price, WD: Amy Parmenter, GD: April Brandley, GK: Sam Poolman
Thunderbirds Starting Seven: GS: Lenize Potgieter, GA: Georgie Horjus, WA: Maisie Nankivell, C: Hannah Petty (C) WD: Shadine van der Merwe, GD: Matilda Garrett, GK: Shamera Sterling
