Where and When: Saturday 21 August, 3:00pm at USC (Sunshine Coast)
Where to Watch: Nine, 9Now, Telstra TV or Netball Live App
Tickets: The venue will operate at a reduced capacity this weekend in line with the current Queensland Government COVID guidelines and protocols.
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
Last time they met: It was only two weeks ago when these two teams last played off in round 14 of the Suncorp Super Netball season. The GIANTS went into the match with just eight players, with both April Brandley and Tilly McDonell ruled out with ankle injuries. After a dominant Power Five from the West Coast Fever in the opening quarter, the team in green held a six-point lead at the first break. A turnaround in momentum in the following two quarters saw the GIANTS lead by four heading into the final quarter. With less than two minutes to go it was all tied up at 73-goals apiece. A well contested tip to gain from Maddie Hay on a Fever centre pass and some steady one-point shooting saw the GIANTS hold onto a lead and take both the win and the minor premiership.
What it means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS just missed out on securing their spot in the grand final, going down to cross-town rivals the NSW Swifts in last week’s major semi-final. A win for the GIANTS this week would see the first ever NSW Derby Grand Final and a second appearance in a Super Netball Grand Final for the club – their last appearance in the inaugural year of the competition in 2017.
Where’s the opposition at: After winning the most amount of games this season the Fever finished third on the ladder after being dealt a 12-point deficit to start the season. The Fever defeated two-time premiers the Sunshine Coast Lightning last week in the minor semi-final to keep their finals hopes alive. In the five-year history of the Suncorp Super Netball competition, the Fever have played in two Grand Finals.
The Number: 4 – in a game that will require a full 60-minute effort, not only will the start be crucial but also the finish. The West Coast Fever have not lost a fourth quarter this season.
Key Match Up: Nearly every position on the court has a noteworthy match up, from Harten and Bruce in the GIANTS goal circle through to Fowler and Poolman at the other end of the court. Against a side like Fever, it’s crucial to win back ball before it enters the circle which it’s why we’re picking the match up of Amy Parmenter and Verity Charles as this week’s key match-up. Parmenter leads the GIANTS for intercepts (25) and deflections (63) and sits second for pickups (24). She pulled off a momentum swinging intercept in the round 14 meeting with the Fever, so let’s hope she can rise to the challenge this week. Verity Charles was on top of her game in last week’s semi final, with her 48 feeds and 1 gain earning her player of the match.
