Where and When: Wednesday 28th July, 3:30pm at Nissan Arena (Brisbane)
Where to watch: 9GEM, 9Now, Telstra TV or Netball Live Official App.
Last time they met: The GIANTS and the Melbourne Vixens last met in round four at John Cain Arena and it was the GIANTS with a four-quarter performance and a 14-goal win. Sophie Dwyer was the star of the show, not fazed by any of the defensive combinations Vixens threw her way. While the final result reflected a clear victory, the Vixens pushed the GIANTS all the way and are not a side to underestimate.
What it means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS hold first position on the ladder on percentage, with seven wins and four losses. They are coming off back-to-back wins, including an uplifting win over cross-town rivals the Swifts in round 11. Come game day, it will have been 11 days since the GIANTS last played with a fourth relocation during that time also. With the top four still not locked in, a win is crucial in the team controlling their own fate on the final ladder positions.
Where’s the opposition at: The Vixens sit eighth on the ladder with just the two wins for the season. While the rest of the league was privy to an extended break to rest and reset, the Vixens last played on Thursday against the West Coast Fever in the controversial round eight rescheduled match. Unable to make the finals series this season, the reigning champions will play with nothing to lose as they look to finish their tough season on a high.
The number: 107.5% - as mentioned above, the GIANTS hold on to top spot due to their better percentage over both the Swifts and the Lightning. All on 28 points, the GIANTS have the superior percentage by 0.7% over the Swifts and 8.1% on the Lightning. With the ladder as tight as it is at the moment, every goal both for and against can be so vital to how teams are shaped come the end of round 14.
Key Match Up: Jamie-Lee Price v Kate Moloney. Expected to match up in the middle and help direct play up and down the court is the GIANTS’ Jamie-Lee Price and the Vixens’ Kate Moloney. Price has been a consistent performer for the GIANTS all year and while she shares the load with Maddie Hay in the attacking third, Price’s point of difference in the centre position is her ability to win ball back. Moloney is a workhorse in the new-look Vixens side and through her never-give-up attitude leads her team right until the final whistle. Backed up with an experienced defensive end, Moloney’s new combination with Hannah Mundy is combining well as they look to feed into the ever-reliable Mwai Kumwenda.
