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Suncorp Super Netball returns to the Canberra as the GIANTS aim to remain undefeated in the nation’s capital when they take on the Firebirds on Sunday afternoon.
After a comprehensive win over the Magpies last weekend, the GIANTS have jumped back into the all-important top-four with four rounds to play.
The Firebirds went down to the Lightning in the Queensland Derby as all teams returned to the court following the World Cup break.
The Firebirds may have lost by two goals but it was an impressive performance by the Brisbane team with the Lightning dominating early and the Firebirds mounting a spirited comeback.
The GIANTS and Firebirds last met in round four as the GIANTS beat the Firebirds in Brisbane 69-61 to record their second win of the season.
In five previous meetings between these two sides, the GIANTS have won three matches and the Firebirds two with the results alternating between the teams since the first meeting in 2017.
The GIANTS will certainly have the home-court advantage as they try to buck that trend, with AIS Arena a happy hunting ground for the team in orange.
The GIANTS have played three games in Canberra over the past two seasons for three wins; one against the Vixens and two over the Thunderbirds.
The GIANTS have three players to have played in all 43 matches of Suncorp Super Netball in Jo Harten, Sam Poolman and Jamie-Lee Price.
All three impressed in their return from the break with World Cup representatives Harten and Price playing their ninth game in 17 days when they took on the Magpies.
Harten was ruthless from long range to finish with 23/27 goals and was named Nissan MVP while Price was the Nissan Net Points Player of the Week with a superb mid-court performance.
Poolman put in an outstanding performance on Magpie Shimona Nelson, forcing her into nine turnovers. The GIANTS’ GK was incredibly disciplined, only out of play nine times while also claiming four gains.
Heading into this week’s clash, the GIANTS have the fourth-best attacking record with 59.1 goals per match while the Firebirds are two places further back at 56.8 goals per game.
After playing her 50th combined elite match against the Magpies in round 10 (29 matches in the former Trans-Tasman Championship and 21 Super Netball matches), Kristiana Manu’a and Poolman will have to again put in a big performance against Diamonds GA Gretel Tippett and Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken.
The GIANTS take on the Firebirds at AIS Arena at 1pm on Sunday.
Previous Meetings:
2017, R8: GIANTS 55 def Firebirds 51 at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
2017, R13: Firebirds 56 def GIANTS 53 at Quaycentre, Sydney
2018, R4: GIANTS 53 def Firebirds 51 at Quaycentre, Sydney
2018, R11: Firebirds 64 def GIANTS 50 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre
2019, R4: GIANTS 69 def Firebirds 61 at Queensland State Netball Centre
