The GIANTS’ season got off to a tough start last week in a loss to the Fever and now they’ll look to rebound as they head north for a showdown with the Firebirds in Brisbane.
When and Where: Saturday, April 20 at 5pm at Nissan Arena.
Where to Watch: For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Saturday’s game via Foxtel or Kayo Sports. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the game via Netball pass. For more information click here
Last Time They Met: The last match-up between the sides saw the Firebirds celebrate First Nations Round with an 18-point win over the GIANTS at Ken Rosewall Arena in May last year. While scores were tied at the half, the visitors went on a big run either side of three-quarter time on their way to a 68-50 win.
What it Means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS are aiming for their first win of 2024 as they look to bounce back from a tough season-opener against the Fever last week. Opening their campaign at home at Ken Rosewall Arena, the GIANTS trailed 26-21 at quarter time and struggled to make up ground as the visitors stormed to a comfortable 84-65 win. The GIANTS will be hoping a strong week on the court can see them turn their fortunes around with a win over the Firebirds on Saturday.
Where’s the Opposition At: The Firebirds will also enter Saturday’s clash looking for their first win of the season after a nail-biting one-point loss to the reigning premiers, Adelaide Thunderbirds. In a back-and-forth battle that saw only a handful of goals separate the two sides all night, the Firebirds trailed 18-14 at quarter time but pegged the score back to just one goal at the final change as the home side held a slim 52-51 lead. In a low-scoring final quarter neither side could shake the other which was enough for the Thunderbirds to hold their one-goal advantage to win 63-62.
The Name: Bec Bulley - The opposition coach on Saturday will be no stranger to the GIANTS with former GIANTS player and GIANTS Academy coach Bec Bulley in charge of the Firebirds. Initially retiring as a player after the 2015 Netball World Cup, Bulley was persuaded by GIANTS head coach Julie Fitzgerald to come out of retirement in 2017 as a replacement player for Kristina Manu’a. Bulley played in the GIANTS’ first two seasons of Suncorp Super Netball before later leading the GIANTS Netball Academy in its first two years. A former premiership player with the Firebirds in 2015, Bulley will now be looking to take down the GIANTS on Saturday after being named Queensland’s new head coach last July on a four-year deal.
The Number: 50 - Popular GIANTS star Sophie Dwyer will play her 50th game in the Suncorp Super Netball competition in Saturday’s match-up with the Firebirds. Joining the club back in 2020 as a training partner, Dwyer impressed in her debut season during the Covid hub and was signed as a fully contracted GIANT the following season. Rapidly improving to become one of the country’s best goal attacks, the star Diamond will look to celebrate her 50thgame in style with a win over the Firebirds on Saturday.
