The GIANTS will be looking to respond with purpose this weekend, as they head north for their round 10 clash with the Queensland Firebirds at Nissan Arena.
When and Where:
Saturday, May 16, 7pm at Nissan Arena.
Where to Watch:
For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Saturday’s game via Foxtel, Kayo Freebies or Binge. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the game via Netball pass. For more information click here.
Last Time they Met:
Round four of the 2026 season is one the GIANTS will want to leave in the past.
Kiwi import Jane Watson was sidelined through injury, and momentum swung sharply in the Firebirds’ favour as they capitalised on a GIANTS turnover late in the first quarter. Macy Gardner broke the deadlock with nine minutes remaining in the term, sparking a run that the GIANTS struggled to halt. From there, the Firebirds built pressure across all thirds, eventually running out 23 goal winners at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Amy Sligar was best on ground for the hosts, finishing with 64.5 Nissan Net Points (NNP), 8 goal assists, 14 feeds and 4 deflections - a bright spot in an otherwise difficult afternoon.
For the Firebirds, Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Macy Gardner and Mary Cholhok controlled proceedings. Bakewell-Doran was particularly dominant, finishing with 117 NNP, 5 rebounds, 3 intercepts and 3 deflections.
What it Means for the GIANTS:
The GIANTS are still searching for their first points of the season, but the ladder doesn’t tell the full story. They’ve pushed top‑of‑the‑table sides to the brink and shown they can match it with the competition’s best; they’re simply chasing a complete four quarter performance. Interestingly, their strongest outings this year have come on the road, making this trip to Queensland an opportunity to reset, regroup, and strike.
What it Means for the Opposition:
The Firebirds sit 7th with a 2-7 record, with both wins coming against NSW teams - the GIANTS in round four and the Swifts in round six. Like the GIANTS, they’re also coming off a heavy defeat, falling to the Vixens by 23 goals last weekend.
The Name:
Ruby Bakewell-Doran
Now in her fifth season as a full-time Firebird and appointed captain in 2026, Ruby Bakewell-Doran has become the anchor of the Firebirds’ defensive end. Her round four performance against the GIANTS was immense and across the season she has already tallied: 8 defensive rebounds, 13 pickups, 11 intercepts and 24 deflections. Curbing her influence will be a key focus for the GIANTS’ attacking unit.
The Narrative:
This round 10 clash arrives at a pivotal moment for both clubs - a meeting of two sides desperate to shift their trajectory and reclaim momentum as the season enters its defining stretch.
For the GIANTS, the theme is simple: response. They’ve shown they can go toe-to-toe with the league’s best, pushing the top teams deep in to the game and producing patches of high-quality netball. But patches aren’tenough anymore. This weekend is about turning competitiveness into consistency, and consistency into points.
There’s also a sense of unfinished business after their round four clash. The Firebirds controlled the opening three quarters with authority, capitalising on early momentum - but the final quarter told a different story. The GIANTS surged late, outscoring the Firebirds and showing glimpses of the brand of netball they want to be known for.
With both sides hungry to rebound, expect a fierce contest from the first centre pass.
The Notes:
“We know the Firebirds will come out hard, they did that last time, but we also know what our fourth quarter looked like. That’s the standard we want to bring from the first whistle. The group has trained with real intent this week. We’re chasing a complete performance, and we’re ready to respond.” – Nerida Stewart
