The GIANTS will welcome the Melbourne Vixens to Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday afternoon. The two sides enter the game off different starts to the season, but both will be in search of a round three victory.
When and where: Sunday, April 28 at 4pm at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Tickets: Join us at our house – Ken Rosewall Arena – as we take on Victorian rivals, the Melbourne Vixens, on Sunday afternoon. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster and start from $30 (adults), $25 (concession) and $23 (juniors), or just $60 for a family!
Tickets are also available via the box office on game day. The ticket office at Ken Rosewall Arena will open from 1pm, located outside Gate D.
Where to Watch: For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Sunday’s game via Foxtel or Kayo Freebies. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the game via Netball pass. For more information click here.
Last Time They Met: It was on the same court, in the final round of last season’s home and away roster, when the two sides last met for competition points. The Vixens were playing to secure their place in the top four while the GIANTS were playing to end their season on a high as well as send off the retiring April Brandley in good fashion. Trailing by five at half-time, the GIANTS pulled off a remarkable comeback – including a 14-7 final quarter - to control the narrative on their season finisher and take a three-goal win (60-57). Jo Harten saved her best to last, shooting at 92% including five super shots, while April Brandley proved she still had it, recording four gains.
What it Means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS have shown in patches what they’re capable of in season 2024 and will be looking to build on that consistency against the Melbourne Vixens in round three. A slow start cost them a win last week against the Queensland Firebirds, so Julie Fitzgerald will be ensuring her team do whatever it takes to come out of the blocks strong on Sunday. The GIANTS are one of two teams still in search of a maiden win in season 2024 and will be looking to get their breakthrough win sooner rather than later.
What it Means for the Opposition: The Melbourne Vixens are sitting equal top of the ladder – alongside the West Coast Fever – after wins against the Melbourne Mavericks and Adelaide Thunderbirds to open their season. The Vixens were challenged right up until the final whistle in their match against the reigning premiers last week, with the victory secured in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. The Vixens have been without midcourter Hannah Mundy for their opening two matches, while veteran defender Jo Weston returned for her first game last week as she recovered from a pre-season calf injury.
The Name: Sam Winders – the former Silver Fern comes off an MVG performance against the Firebirds last week, after being injected into the game at quarter time and making an immediate impact with three gains and defensive pressure. Sunday will be Winders’ third official game in the GIANTS’ colours and will look to build on last week’s form, plus tap into her 140 games of experience, as she likely matches up on first-year player Zara Walters.
The Number: 42 – after two games the GIANTS are currently averaging the least number of penalties per game with 42 while the Vixens are averaging the most with 64.5 a match.
