Where and When: Sunday, May 16 at Ken Rosewall Arena from 5pm.
Tickets: CLICK HERE
Last time they met: The last time these two teams met was in round seven of the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball season. Given the circumstances of the season 2020, both of last season’s encounters were played at the home of the Firebirds, Nissan Arena in Brisbane. After a draw in round four the GIANTS were able to overcome the home side by just one goal in round seven, thanks to a goal from Caitlin Bassett in the dying seconds of the final quarter.
Where to watch: Live at the new home of the GIANTS or on Telstra TV and the Netball Live Official App.
What it means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS remain as one of three teams not to drop a game so far this season, after two convincing wins against the Thunderbirds and Magpies respectively to start their 2021 season campaign. However, their start has been far from smooth, losing Kiera Austin for the season and missing Amy Parmenter and Kristiana Manu’a last week. The GIANTS will be tested this week when they come up against the top four favourite, or even grand final favourites, the Queensland Firebirds. The last time the GIANTS started their season 3-0 was in 2017.
Where’s the opposition at: As mentioned, the Firebirds have been flagged as favourites for this season given the way they finished season 2020 and their recruitment and progression during the pre-season. They currently sit third on the ladder, with one win and one loss, which came as a result of the first extra-time match against the Swifts in round one. They come off an 11-goal win over the Adelaide Thunderbirds, which was set up with a 22-15 opening quarter.
The number: 3.5 – the average winning margin for the GIANTS against the Queensland Firebirds since 2017. We know the two teams were hard to split last year and only one goal divided the two teams in a friendly math during pre-season earlier this year. The largest victory the GIANTS have had against the Firebirds was eight goals in round four of 2019.
Key Match Up: This week we’re highlighting the battle of the mid-court with Jamie-Lee Price v Kim Ravaillion. After a season on the sidelines as she became a Mum for the first time, Ravaillion is back on the court looking stronger and fitter than ever. Ravaillion returns to the court in the colours that she made her elite netball debut in, after a stint in Melbourne with the Collingwood Magpies. Price, too, is showing high levels of endurance and strength this season, with back-to-back inclusions in the Nissan Net Points team of the round. Both Price and Ravaillion were MVPs in their respective matches in round two.
