Where and When: Wednesday, May 18 at 6:00pm at Silverdome, Launceston
Where to Watch: Foxtel + Kayo Sports (Australia), Spark Sport (New Zealand) or NetballAustralia.TV (international)
Tickets: For any fans based in Tasmania or planning on travelling to the game, tickets are available through Ticketek.
Last time they met: It was Easter Saturday at Ken Rosewall Arena when the two sides last met in round five, with the GIANTS fittingly taking the chocolates. The GIANTS opened the game with a point to prove, scoring 21-goals to the Magpies’ 13. Averaging 19-goals a quarter, the GIANTS goalers Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer combined for a 98% one-shot accuracy, whilst Harten finished the match with a fautless 100% across both the one-point and two-point shot. The Pies were without veteran Geva Mentor and goalers Sophie Garbin and Gabby Sinclair.
What it means for the GIANTS: After back-to-back losses in rounds eight and nine, the GIANTS now find themselves in a must-win scenario for their upcoming and remaining matches. The GIANTS hold onto fourth spot by just 1.3%. The Firebirds (3rd), GIANTS (4th), Swifts (5th) and Magpies (6th) all sit on the same amount of points with four wins.
Where’s the Opposition at: The Magpies are one of the teams in the hottest form. After dropping their first three games, plus some COVID disruptions, the Pies have won three of their past four matches. They come off a controlled victory over the Queensland Firebirds in round nine, 71-67.
The Name: Jo Harten – after battling some illness, the GIANTS’ illustrious leader got through just 25 minutes of the game in the GIANTS’ extra time loss against the Vixens last round. With the short turnaround in games, plus travel, the GIANTS will be hoping for a speedy recover to have their leading goal scorer available for the match.
The Number: 100% – the Collingwood Magpies have played four games at their home away from home at Launceston’s Silverdome and have a 100%-win record. They’ve hosted the Queensland Firebirds (2017, 2018 & 2021) and the NSW Swifts (2019) during the past five years and have been triumphant in all matches.
The News: Since its introduction in 2020 the Super Shot has attracted much scrutiny, as was the case leading into round nine. But it was Matisse Letherbarrow and the GIANTS who brought light to its power and potential, as 11 Super Shots brought the GIANTS back from an 11-goal deficit to put the game into extra time.
