The wild west awaits as the GIANTS hit the road for a dual with the red-hot Fever.
When and Where: Sunday, July 6 at 4pm AEST at RAC 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 only six weeks ago that the sides last met as the Fever registered a 75-66 win on the road at Ken Rosewall Arena. The win came off the back of a hot start from the visitors, with the Fever holding a 22-14 lead at the end of the first term which the GIANTS were unable to recover from to go down by nine goals at home. Turnovers proved costly for the GIANTS in the round seven loss, committing 26 to the Fever’s 19.
What it Means for the GIANTS: While no longer a mathematical chance to play finals, the GIANTS have played their best netball of the season in recent weeks and will head west looking to continue their strong form with an upset win over the rampaging Fever who sit atop the table with two rounds remaining. Winners of three of their last four games – with impressive wins over the Thunderbirds, Lightning, and Firebirds – the GIANTS will look to carry over their much-improved consistency to RAC Arena on Sunday in a huge test against a West Coast side which has won a record-equalling 10 straight games. The GIANTS will be aiming for their third straight road win on Sunday and should hold no fear entering enemy territory after impressive away wins against the Thunderbirds in Adelaide and the Firebirds in Brisbane in recent weeks. While a host of GIANTS stepped up to help take down the Firebirds last week, Amy Sligar is one who will no doubt be looking for another stellar performance on Sunday after continuing her emergence as a young star of the competition last week against Queensland. Sligar collected three gains, one intercept, and two deflections in the first half alone in the win over the Firebirds and will again be crucial to the GIANTS’ chances if they’re to upset the Fever on Sunday.
What it Means for the Opposition: With only two rounds remaining the Fever are already guaranteed a top-two finish but a win over the GIANTS on Sunday would put them one step closer to cementing their place as the minor premiers. As they welcome the GIANTS to town the Fever are remarkably aiming for the 11th straight win of the season, having not lost since round two when they started the season with back-to-back losses prior to their incredible winning streak. West Coast will enter Sunday’s clash following a clinical 15-goal win over the Lightning on the Sunshine Coast. Outscoring the home side 40-26 across the first and fourth quarters, the Fever were a class above in the clash as they cruised to a dominant 69-54 win. A major factor in the win – and one that the GIANTS will need to restrict if they’re to claim an upset win on Sunday – was the shooting of Fever duo Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Shanice Beckford who combined to shoot a red-hot 96 per cent (65/68) in a near-perfect shooting display.
The Name: Matisse Letherbarrow – while playing behind legend Jo Harten and emerging star Sophie Dwyer, Letherbarrow showed last week just how impactful she can be in attack when given her opportunity. Locked in an intense battle with the Firebirds, Letherbarrow was injected into the game in the final quarter where the 23-year-old was quick to make an immediate impact. Down by three entering the Power Five, Letherbarrow calmly landed a super shot to close the gap before the Firebirds missed a crucial shot and Letherbarrow made them pay with another long bomb to give the GIANTS the lead late in the game. From there the home side could not handle the pressure as Letherbarrow’s match-winning cameo saw the GIANTS hold on for a 68-63 win. Finishing the game with four super shots from five attempts, Letherbarrow’s sharp shooting was crucial to the win and could be utilized once again by coach Julie Fitzgerald on Sunday.
The Number: 11 - The GIANTS will be hoping to avoid becoming part of history on Sunday, with the Fever looking to break new ground as the first Super Netball side to ever win 11 games in a row. With last week’s win the Fever chalked up their 10th straight victory this season which saw them become the first side to ever win 10 consecutive games in a single Super Netball season. Only one other side has ever won 10 straight Super Netball games – however they did it spanning over two seasons – with the Thunderbirds recording 10 straight wins between round nine, 2024 and round two, 2025. Already holding the single season winning streak record at 10, the Fever will be out to make even more history with a new record-setting 11th straight win on Sunday afternoon.
