An exciting clash between the GIANTS and the reigning premiers will kickstart a blockbuster double header at Quodos Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon.
When and Where: Sunday, March 22 at 3pm at Qudos Bank Arena.
Tickets: Be part of history – help us get the largest crowd ever at a netball match. Be there when the record crowd shows up. Tickets are available via Ticketek and start from $15 (junior 4-15 years), $15 (concession) and $20 adults (adults) or just $49 for a family.
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: The last time the sides faced off was round eight last year, with the Vixens claiming a 71-61 win at Ken Rosewall Arena as they began to build form en route to their 2025 championship. The GIANTS were at their energetic best early in the contest as Erin O’Brien starred to help her side jump out of the blocks to hold a 19-15 lead at the first break. After holding a 35-33 lead at half-time, turnovers soon became an issue for the GIANTS in the second half while the visitors found their rhythm in attack. The tale of two halves saw the Vixens chase down the GIANTS’ lead in the third term before extending their own lead in the final quarter to run out 10-goal winners on the road.
What it Means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS return to Sydney for their first home game of the season-albeit at Quodos Bank Arena - as they look to secure their first win of 2026 with an upset over the Vixens. While the GIANTS fell 61-52 to the Mavericks in round one, there were still plenty of positives as their group full of fresh faces took to the court for the first time. Newcomer Jane Watson was the standout with a superb performance in defence, recording 10 deflections – the most of any player across the entire competition in round one. The GIANTS will now be hoping they can continue to grow the synergy of their exciting new-look group and use the lessons learnt from last week’s first outing together to help achieve what would be a fantastic underdog win over the reigning premiers on Sunday. Adding further motivation to Sunday, the GIANTS will be hoping to celebrate the retiring Tilly McDonell in the best way possible – with a win – after she announced on Wednesday that this week will be her last game of elite netball before she transitions into life as a solicitor.
What it Means for the Opposition: The Vixens head to Sydney fresh off an impressive start to their title defence after taking down the Firebirds, 60-49, at Nissan Arena in Queensland in round one. Led by new coach Di Honey, who stepped up to take on the role of head coach in place of Simone McKinnis, the reigning premiers wasted little time showing the competition they’ll be a force one again in 2026. Holding a five-goal lead at the half, the Vixens extended their lead to six at the end of the third quarter before finishing off strongly with a 15-10 final term en route to the comfortable 11-goal win. Boasting the most Australian Diamonds of any SSN club, the Vixens look set to continue to be one of the teams to beat in 2026 and will be hoping to make it two from two to start their title defence in 2026.
The Name: Tilly McDonell – Sunday’s clash will be the popular GIANT’s last ever game in orange after announcing her retirement from elite netball on Wednesday. A fan-favourite, McDonell joined the GIANTS in 2019 as a teenager and went on to become one of the club’s most fierce, passionate, and lovable players and characters. After eight seasons with the GIANTS, McDonell will get one final chance to don the orange dress in front of her adoring fans on Sunday as she looks to go out on a winning note.
The Narrative: As well as McDonell’s farewell game, Sunday’s huge game with the Vixens is aiming to be part of history, with Netball NSW hoping that the massive SSN double header can break the world record for the largest-ever netball club crowd, setting their sights on exceeding the 16,000+ attendance achieved at the 2015 Netball World Cup. They also have their eyes set on smashing the previous league regular season record of 13,500 set in 2016.Sunday’s special double header is a day for state bragging rights, with the GIANTS and the Swifts representing NSW in their respective clashes against the Vixens and the Mavericks.
The Notes: “I think the double header is going to be such an incredible thing for Netball NSW and for netball in the state. We are obviously trying to get a record crowd and to get all of our families and members to be a part of this special day. I think it’s going to be such an incredible atmosphere and a really cool experience.” - Matisse Letherbarrow on this weekend’s doubleheader
