The GIANTS have gone down to the Sunshine Coast Lightning in controversial circumstances as Kristiana Manu’a was sent off for rough play.
It was a dramatic final quarter with the GIANTS unable to hold on to their lead as they were reduced to six players for nine-and-a-half minutes of the final quarter, eventually going down 58-57.
The GIANTS held a 52-45 lead five minutes into the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's clash at USC Stadium when Manu'a was sent permanently after being called for a second act of rough play.
With the GIANTS down a player for the rest of the match, the Lightning outscored them 13-5, surviving two unsuccessful super shot attempts by Jo Harten in the dying seconds.
"That was quite a tricky game to play in, I don't think I've been in anything quite like it," Harten said after the bizarre events.
Having been warned for dangerous play earlier in the match, Manu'a was suspended for two minutes in the third period after a clash with Lightning goaler Cara Koenen.
The GIANTS still managed to win the quarter 18-11 and looked set to hold on for their second win of the season with a seven-goal lead in the final term until Manu'a was deemed to have committed another rough challenge, this time on Lightning's Laura Scherian, to prematurely end her night.
With the numerical advantage, the Lightning worked their way to the front with two minutes left then held on as Harten failed to connect on two attempted super goals in the final minute.
The result sees the Lightning join the Melbourne Vixens and NSW Swifts on four wins while the GIANTS remain in sixth spot, still seeking their second victory for the season.
Goal shooter Koenen went a perfect 10-for-10 in the opening quarter as the Lightning grabbed a narrow 16-15 lead, GIANTS midcourter Jamie-Lee Price spending some time on the bench after a heavy collision with teammate Maddie Hay.
But with Price back in the action and Kiera Austin shifting into attack, the GIANTS managed to edge ahead 31-30 at halftime.
The GIANTS will attempt to bounce back against ladder leaders Melbourne Vixens at USC Stadium on Sunday.
Score breakdown
Q1: Lightning 16 v GIANTS 15
Q2: Lightning 14 v GIANTS 16
Q3: Lightning 11 v GIANTS 18
Q4: Lightning 17 v GIANTS 8
Nissan Player of The Match – Jo Harten (GIANTS Netball)
Lightning shooting statistics
Cara Koenen: Total points - 32 G1 - 32/34 (94%) G2 - 0/1 (0%)
Steph Wood: Total points - 15 G1 - 11/14 (79%) G2 - 2/7 (29%)
Peace Proscovia: Total points - 8 G1- 8/8 (100%) G2 - 0/0 (0%)
Binnian Hunt: Total points - 3 G1 - 1/3 (33%) G2 - 1/1 (100%)
GIANTS shooting statistics
Caitlin Bassett: Total points - 9 G1 - 9/11 (82%) G2 - 0/0 (0%)
Jo Harten: Total points - 28 G1 - 22/26 (85%) G2 - 3/7 (43%)
Keira Austin: Total points - 20 G1 - 16/20 (80%) G2 - 2/4 (50%)
Lightning starting seven: GS - Cara Koenen GA - Steph Wood WA - Laura Scherian C - Laura Langman WD - Maddy McAuliffe GD - Karla Pretorius GK - Phumza Maweni
GIANTS starting seven: GS - Caitlin Bassett GA - Jo Harten WA - Maddie Hay C - Jamie-Lee Price WD - Amy Parmenter GD - Kristiana Manu'a GK - Sam Poolman
