Where and When: Saturday, 12 June at 3:00pm at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Where to watch: LIVE in stadium at Ken Rosewall Arena or on Channel 9, Telstra TV or the Official Netball Live App.
Tickets: CLICK HERE to purchase tickets
Last time they met: The GIANTS last met the Sunshine Coast Lightning in round 10 of Suncorp Super Netball Season 2020 at the University of Sunshine Coast. Both encounters in 2020 were played at USC Stadium, with the Lightning strong performers with a home court advantage. In round 10 the two teams were split by just two-goals with the Lightning winning the second and fourth quarter by just one goal to take the victory in what was a tightly contested match. Jamie-Lee Price was dominant for the GIANTS recording 130.5 Nissan Net Points including 19 goal assists, five gains and two intercepts.
What it means for the GIANTS: After dropping the past two games, a win for the GIANTS is crucial to show they’re a true top four contender in 2021. The GIANTS remain on top of the ladder due to percentage, with their opening four wins against the current bottom four teams helping them to maintain that position. In a fierce non-derby rivalry with the Lightning, the GIANTS last secured a win against the two-time Suncorp Super Netball premiers in round one of season 2018.
Where’s the opposition at: The Lightning enter the game in a similar position to the GIANTS. They currently sit third on the ladder with four wins and two losses and enter the round seven game coming off a loss against the Queensland Firebirds.
The number: 350 – coach Julie Fitzgerald will this weekend celebrate her 350th National League match. She coached the Swifts for 235 games across 14 years, spent two years at the AIS in Canberra, coached the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic for 47 games, before returning home to Sydney to coach the GIANTS as they entered the Suncorp Super Netball league.
Key Match Up: It’s a battle of the Maddie’s and a battle of the middies. Our Maddie Hay will most likely match up the Lightnings Maddy McAuliffe in the wing attack, wing defence meeting. Hay continues to develop and evolve as a quiet but leading wing attack each week – she’s second in the league for goal assists and centre pass receives and sits just outside the league’s top five for Nissan Net Points. McAuliffe is a consistent performer for the Lightning throughout both the centre and defensive third. Standing at 180cm tall, the 26-year-old has 12 pick-ups and 12 deflections so far this season.
