The GIANTS have delivered a dominant and composed performance at Ken Rosewall Arena, securing a 78-68 victory over the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Steph Fretwell opened the scoring for the Lightning, but Jo Harten quickly responded, setting the tone for a fiercely contested first quarter. Erin O’Brien continued her impressive form from last week, nabbing an early tip and thriving alongside defensive partner Casey Kopua, unsettling Fretwell.
The GIANTS were slick in attack, moving the ball with ease and finding each other in space, while the Lightning appeared rattled in the early stages.
With the home side pushing out to a four-goal lead midway through the quarter, Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds was forced to call a tactical timeout.
The GIANTS' defensive unit continued to pile on the pressure, disrupting the Lightning’s attacking flow. Julie Fitzgerald responded with her own timeout late in the quarter as the Lightning began to claw their way back into the contest. Still, the GIANTS held firm, taking a 20-17 lead into the first break, with the presence of Kopua proving influential across the court.
The second quarter started shakily for the GIANTS, with a couple of early errors allowing the Lightning to close the gap to just one. Ashleigh Ervin stepped up defensively for the Lightning, applying strong pressure on Harten. But the GIANTS quickly regrouped, with Sophie Dwyer lifting her game and combining brilliantly with a rejuvenated Harten.
With seconds remaining in the half, Harten calmly nailed a crucial super shot to push the GIANTS' lead to eight.
Cara Koenen had a final attempt for the Lightning but couldn't capitalise, leaving the GIANTS in control with a 40-32 lead at half-time.
The GIANTS continued to assert their dominance in the third quarter, edging ahead 4-3 in the early minutes and quickly finding their rhythm again. The defensive duo of O’Brien and Kopua were outstanding, keeping the Lightning's shooters under constant pressure.
Kristiana Manu’a was introduced for the Lightning in a bid to steady their defence, but the GIANTS were in full control.
Harten thrived under the post, looking confident and composed, while Amy Sligar produced a standout performance in wing defence, disrupting Lightning’s transitions and contributing significantly to the GIANTS' defensive wall.
A Lightning timeout midway through the quarter saw changes in their attacking circle as they tried to shift momentum, but the GIANTS refused to let up. With the crowd right behind them, the home side surged ahead, playing some of their best netball of the season.
By the end of the quarter, they had stormed out to a dominant 18 goal lead.
The GIANTS made their first change of the night in the final quarter, bringing on Hope White at centre.
The visitors showed renewed energy in the final 15 minutes, lifting their intensity across the court. A tactical timeout from GIANTS coach Julie Fitzgerald came midway through the term, serving a reminder to her side that they remained in full control, even as the Lightning lead the quarter.
The absence of Sligar and the shuffle of Price to wing defence, gave the Lightning some breathing room in the midcourt. Liz Watson capitalised on the opportunity, finding more space and helping to lift her side.
Despite some late super shot supremacy from Reilley Batcheldor to win the final quarter 23-15, the gap remained too great to overcome as the GIANTS ran home to win 78-68.
