The GIANTS have put in the work and now it’s time to put it into action as they host the West Coast Fever at Ken Rosewall Arena to open their 2024 Suncorp Super Netball campaign.
When and Where: Saturday, April 13 at 5pm at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Tickets: Join us at Ken Rosewall Arena as we open the season with a mouth-watering clash against the West Coast Fever. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster and start from $30 (adults), $25 (concession) and $23 (juniors), or just $60 for a family!
Tickets are also available via the box office on game day. The ticket office at Ken Rosewall Arena will be open from 3:30pm, located outside Gate D.
Where to Watch: For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Saturday’s game via Foxtel of Kayo Sports. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the game via Netball pass. For more information click here
Last Time They Met: It wasn’t too long ago the two sides faced off for competition points, as the two teams battled it out at RAC Arena in round 13 last season. After holding a four-goal advantage at the end of an exciting first half, the home side put its foot down in the third period to outscore the GIANTS 21-15 to set up the 11-goal win. Sophie Dwyer continued her emergence with a strong game in attack for the GIANTS despite the side struggling to move the ball cleanly through the Fever’s pressure.
What it Means for the GIANTS: All eight sides are out to secure victory in the opening round of the season as they put their pre-season preparations to the ultimate test. For the GIANTS, a win over last year’s semi-finalists would be the perfect way to kickstart their 2024 campaign as they look to return to finals in search of their first championship. With some fresh and exciting faces, in particular star goal defender Jodi-Ann Ward and Kiwi Sam Winders, the GIANTS are refreshed and energized as new co-captains Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price look to lead them to success.
Where’s the Opposition At: The Fever also enter the 2024 season with a fresh look following several changes to their squad that made last year’s semi-finals. With star goalie Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard leading the way at one end, how the Fever cover the loss of key defender Courtney Bruce - and gel their new pieces together- will be vital to their chances of another finals appearance.
The Name: Jodi-Ann Ward - the GIANTS’ star recruit will swap the black and white for the orange and charcoal on Saturday as she plays her first official game as a GIANT. Named the goal defence in last year’s Team of the Year, Ward will look to lead a GIANTS defence up against an attack led by Jamaican teammate Fowler-Nembhard.
Ahead of the clash, GIANTS co-captain Jo Harten is full of confidence regarding the GIANTS’ new star defender.
“I back Jodi-Ann every day of the week to take ball off any shooter in this league,” Harten said earlier this week.
“Coming up against her every day is always a challenge and that’s what I love and I think it’s what we needed as part of the GIANTS’ training environment is someone like her.
“She’s really dogged and tenacious but she’s an out and out ball winner and that’s what we want. We want her to inspire different plays and people around her to take ball off people like Jhaniele.
“We know Jhaniele is going to score between 50-60 goals and that’s her job and what she does best but it’s the little loose ones that go awry that I think she can get onto, and those loose balls. Then hopefully we can convert them down the other end.”
The Number: 30 –The GIANTS have had 29 players strut their stuff in the orange and charcoal since their inception in 2017. On Saturday, as the team prepares for their eighth season in the Suncorp Super Netball competition, the GIANTS will unveil their 30th capped player- and possibly 31st- with new recruits Jodi-Ann Ward and Sam Winders expected to feature against the Fever.
