The GIANTS have returned from their first pre-season hit-out on the Sunshine Coast with plenty of learnings.
Two games were battled out between the GIANTS and the Lightning, with both wins going the way of the home team.
A win was in the hands of the GIANTS on day two, but in renowned Lightning fashion they finished the game exceptionally strongly to win by one in the final seconds thanks to a Steph Wood Super Shot.
Score Breakdown:
QT: 10-16
HT: 20-28
3QT: 29-37
FT: 48-47
“Lightning are always extremely strong in the last quarter, they have an ability to always lift in the closing stages of the match and I think we learnt our lesson,” Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald said.
“Overall though I think I’m pretty pleased. We got the opportunity to give our training partners a good run and see how they stood up against SSN competition, saw some players in different positions, learnt a few things and got the opportunity to put a few things into practice that we had been working on.”
Both teams were missing key players and had their Diamonds players on load management restrictions.
Maddie Hay was a standout – playing across both wing attack and centre – as was training partner Erin O’Brien.
“Maddie Hay did extremely well in centre,” Fitzgerald said.
“And it was really nice to see her and Jamie-Lee back together playing again.
“I thought Erin O’Brien had a very, very good introduction at that level and it’s going to be exciting see her continue to develop throughout the season.”
The GIANTS will come up against the Lightning in round one of the Suncorp Super Netball season on Sunday, March 19, with the weekend’s practice matches pivotal to their preparations for the opening round clash.
“I think you could really see a side that was disappointed with their performances last season, and they were very determined to make amends this year,” said Fitzgerald.
“They were very hungry, they were well organised, they worked really well together and I think they will be a real threat.”
The weekend’s matches marked the beginning of the GIANTS’ pre-season match schedule, with the team backing up again this coming weekend to take on the Melbourne Vixens and Adelaide Thunderbirds in Bendigo.
