The GIANTS have begun their next phase of pre-season training, hosting the Sunshine Coast Lightning in their first practice match for 2022.
The match marked the first time GIANTS members and fans have had the opportunity to be courtside watching on since the GIANTS’ round eight match against the Adelaide Thunderbirds at Ken Rosewall Arena last year.
Playing six 10-minute terms and no Super Shots, the pre-season game was used to its truest potential with both teams utilising multiple different combinations.
It was an evenly balanced score line throughout the six terms, with the final scoreboard 56-59 to the Lightning.
WATCH: Full match replay available on GIANTS Netball TV YouTube.
“There were a lot of things I was really pleased with. I thought we did a lot of things well, but I was disappointed with the amount of ball we threw away,” said coach Julie Fitzgerald.
“I won’t be upset by the score line too much, it’s obviously how you get to that point which is more of a concern at this time of the year.
“And I always like an early game in pre-season because it gives you a good indication of what you need to work on.”
Fitzgerald was pleased with the team’s defensive efforts and an individual call out was given for recently elevated shooter Matisse Letherbarrow.
“I thought our defensive effort grew over the game. I think they put in a real commitment at times, we just didn’t manager to convert it,” she said.
“I thought Matisse Letherbarrow really stood up tonight, I thought she showed strength and I was really happy with that.”
The Lightning are the first of many pre-season matches for the GIANTS, with the quality in opposition pivotal to the learnings and success of pre-season.
“It mixes things up for us and gives a lot of confidence,” said Fitzgerald.
“I’m not sure that we got our heads around it quickly enough that we were actually playing an SSN side and that it was time to get back into it.
“I think they started the game a lot stronger than what we did and then the whole game we were trying to fight that back.”
With more pre-season matches just under the corner Fitzgerald knows what she wants to focus on.
“Definitely transition. When we won the ball back we were very sloppy in getting it down to goal.
“A few little combinations off the centre pass and I think second efforts in defence.”
The next outing on the GIANTS’ pre-season calendar is against the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Orange on February 18 and 19. Tickets to both matches are still available, with ticket prices ranging from $15-$25. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
