The GIANTS are looking to celebrate outgoing legend Jo Harten with a win over the Mavericks to close out the season.
When and Where: Saturday, July 12 at 5pm at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Tickets: Get in fast to join us for our final clash of the 2025 season in what is sure to be an action-packed meeting with the Mavericks at Ken Rosewall Arena. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster and start from $30 (adults), $25 (concession) and $23 (juniors) or just $59 for a family!
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: It was back in round three when the sides last met, with the Mavericks claiming a 71-56 win at John Cain Arena. The home side got off to a strong start to lead 17-12 at the first break and from there were too strong to run out 15-goal winners. Turnovers played a key role in the result, with the Mavs committing just 22 to the GIANTS’ 31.
What it Means for the GIANTS: While finals are out of the equation for the GIANTS there is one major thing to play for in Saturday’s clash: celebrating the incredible career of outgoing legend Jo Harten. Harten will wear the orange dress for the final time on Saturday after announcing on Tuesday she’ll bring a close to her incredible elite netball career. The GIANTS will enter Saturday’s clash looking to honour Harten following a much stronger second half of the season which saw them win three out of four clashes prior to last week’s loss to the ladder-leading Fever. With wins over the Thunderbirds, Lightning, and Firebirds in recent weeks, the GIANTS will be looking to add the Mavericks to that list on Saturday as they look to close out their season on a high and send Harten into retirement on a winning note. With the GIANTS and the Mavs tied on a of 4-9 win-loss ratio ahead of this weekend’s final round of the season, the winner of Saturday’s clash will also claim sixth place on the ladder. As well as aiming to celebrate Harten with a win, the GIANTS will also be out to create history on Saturday, with Julie Fitzgerald’s side yet to beat the Mavericks in Sydney, with the visitors winning the only prior meeting in the Harbour City in a 55-54 thriller last season.
What it Means for the Opposition: Looking to spoil Harten’s retirement party, the Mavericks will enter KRA aiming to keep their perfect record against the GIANTS at the venue intact after their epic one-goal win in round 13 last season. The Mavs will be aiming for three straight wins against the GIANTS on Saturday as they battle it out for bragging rights to end the season. If the Mavs are to take down the GIANTS on Saturday, they’ll need to put forth a much more consistent performance than last week which saw them fall 49-60 to the Thunderbirds in Adelaide. Melbourne was slow out of the blocks and struggled in the opening half – scoring just seven goals in the second term – to trail 19-33 at the main break. While they lifted after half time and even won the second half, it was too little too late as the Thunderbirds cruised to a comfortable 11-goal win. Despite the loss the Mavs showed what their best is capable of in the second half and they’ll be looking to carry over that strong finish into Saturday’s season finale against the GIANTS.
The Name: Jo Harten - For the second time in three weeks there’s no bigger name than Jo Harten this weekend. Two weeks after bringing up her 200th National League game, Harten will now take to the court as an elite netballer for the final time, to bring an end to a remarkable career spanning more than 20 years. One of the game’s most beloved players, Harten will retire as an icon of the game after starring across the UK’s SuperLeague, New Zealand’s ANZ Championship and of course Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball. One of the first English players to succeed in the Southern Hemisphere, the 36-year-old’s success has helped pave the way and inspire a generation of international athletes in both the ANZ and Super Netball competitions. A foundation player and club captain, there won’t be a dry eye in the house on Saturday afternoon as Harten takes the court for one final time.
The Number: 130 – Saturday’s clash against the Mavericks will be Harten’s 130th and final game in GIANTS colours. Joining the GIANTS for in their inaugural season in 2017, Harten quickly became the face of the club and a cornerstone of its culture. Over the past nine seasons Harten has cemented herself as a legend of the club and one of the most fierce and loyal leaders in elite netball. As well as 130 games for the GIANTS, Harten will end her career with a total of 202 National League games across her time in both New Zealand and Australia, plus six seasons in the UK SuperLeague.
