The GIANTS hit the road looking for payback against the Firebirds as they also celebrate an incredible milestone of a much-loved GIANT.
When and Where: Sunday, June 29 at 4pm at Nissan Arena
Where to Watch: For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Sunday’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: It was the Firebirds who came away with victory the last time the sides met as Queensland registered a 62-57 win in a back-and-forth encounter at Ken Rosewall Arena in the opening round of the season. The visitors got off to a hot start in their on-the-road win, taking a 19-12 lead into the second quarter. While the GIANTS fought back to cut the deficit to just one goal at half-time, the Firebirds used a 17-13 third term to push the lead back out to five which they were able hold onto across the final term to open their season with a win.
What it Means for the GIANTS: Sunday’s clash in Queensland will be about much more than just the four points for Julie Fitzgerald’s side, with GIANTS superstar Jo Harten set to play in her 200th National League game. A pioneer of the sport, the GIANTS will be hoping to celebrate their co-captain’s incredible achievement with a victory over the Firebirds on their own home court. The GIANTS will head into Sunday’s match in strong form, having secured back-to-back wins over the Thunderbirds and Lightning in rounds nine and 10, along with an impressive first half against the ladder-leading Swifts last week. They’ll be looking to replicate that eye-catching early form against the Firebirds, having stunned the Swifts with a brilliant 21–10 opening quarter in their most recent outing. If the GIANTS can maintain that level of performance consistently on Sunday, they’ll give themselves every chance of marking Harten’s milestone with a well-deserved win.
What it Means for the Opposition: The Firebirds will be hoping to make it two from two against the GIANTS this season as they look for their third win in what’s been a tough season so far. Sitting last on the ladder with a record of two wins and nine losses, the Firebirds return home to host the GIANTS on Sunday following a 54-65 loss to the Mavericks in round 11. The Firebirds were slow out of the blocks against the Mavericks, trailing 9-20 at the end of the first quarter before turning things around with a 22-14 second term to bridge the gap to just three goals at the half. However, the Firebirds couldn’t maintain their second-quarter blitz and fell away after half-time to go down by 11. One thing the Firebirds will have to address if they’re to take down the GIANTS on Sunday is their slow first halves, with Queensland having won just one first-half quarter in their past six matches.
The Name: Jo Harten – there’s no other name this weekend than Jo Harten. A legend of the GIANTS and of elite netball, Harten will join only a select few to reach the 200-game milestone in Sunday’s clash with the Firebirds. An icon of the game, Harten brings up the special achievement through her time in New Zealand’s ANZ Championship as well as her Super Netball tenure with the GIANTS. Joining the GIANTS for their inaugural 2017 season, Harten quickly became the face of the club and there’s no doubt her upcoming milestone will give her side even extra motivation to take down the Firebirds on Sunday.
The Number: 4th - While the Firebirds have struggled with first halves, the GIANTS have managed to win just one fourth quarter this season to go along with one drawn final term and nine lost final quarters. The GIANTS will be hoping to change that stat for the good on Sunday as they look to finish off strongly at Nissan Arena in order to take down the Firebirds on their own home court.
