State bragging rights are on the line as the GIANTS host the ladder-leading Swifts in a mouthwatering NSW Derby.
When and Where: Sunday, May 18 at 2pm at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Tickets: Get in fast to join us for what is sure to be a packed-out Ken Rosewall Arena for the first NSW Derby of the season. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster and start from $35 (adults), $33 (concession) and $30 (juniors) or just $59 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: Fans are in for a treat if Sunday’s contest is anything like the last meeting between the sides, with just a goal separating the fierce rivals as the Swifts held on for a thrilling 72-71 win at KRA. The GIANTS led for most of the clash but a clutch goal from Uneeq Palavi in the dying seconds saw the Swifts claim an epic victory.
What it Means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS will be hoping that a meeting with their cross-town rival can bring out their best as they look to bounce back from a 74-56 loss to the Lightning in round five. While they were outplayed in the second and third quarters the GIANTS never surrendered and won the final term 16-12 to finish the clash on a promising note. Another positive from the game was the Super Netball debut of exciting young shooter Monika ‘Otai who gained valuable experience after being given minutes as a shooter against the Lightning. With state bragging rights on the line this weekend the GIANTS will be hoping to replicate their form from just two weeks ago when they showed that their best can compete with anyone by taking down the back-to-back champions, the Thunderbirds, by a goal in round four. The GIANTS will also be hoping to get off to a hot start on Sunday, with the Swifts having lost their last three opening quarters despite eventually winning all three contests.
What it Means for the Opposition: The Swifts will enter KRA riding a wave of momentum after a red-hot start to the season has them sitting undefeated at 5-0 and atop the league ladder. In their most recent clash, the Swifts trailed the Vixens by three at quarter-time at KRA but outscored the visitors 18-12 in the second term and 17-11 in the final term to register a 59-51 win and remain unbeaten. A key to the Swifts’ undefeated run has been their ability to restrict their opposition’s scoring power, with the Swifts allowing the second least goals per game at just 56.4. The Swifts will be out to create further history on Sunday, with their 5-0 start to the season already the club’s best-ever start to a Super Netball campaign.
The Name: Jo Harten - the star co-captain will be a huge inclusion for the GIANTS in Sunday’s clash after missing last week’s game with the Lightning for parental reasons. One of the most savvy and experienced players in the competition, Harten relishes the big stage and often takes her game to another level in the always fierce NSW Derby.
The Number: 1149 – By the time Sunday rolls around it will have been 1149 days since the GIANTS were victorious in a NSW Derby. With the Swifts winning the last five meetings between the sides, you have to go back to the opening game of the 2022 Suncorp Super Netball season on March 26, 2022 to find the last time the GIANTS took down their cross-town rival. Sophie Dwyer and Jo Harten combined for 57 goals in that clash as the GIANST registered a thrilling 57-55 Derby win. That duo will be hoping to star again on Sunday in order to break the lengthy losing streak to the Swifts.
