The GIANTS travel south to John Cain Arena for the second consecutive week but this time for a match-up with the in-form Melbourne Vixens.
When and Where: Saturday, June 1 at 5pm at John Cain Arena
Where to Watch: For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Saturday’s game via Foxtel or Kayo Sports. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the game via Netball pass. For more information click here.
Last Time they Met: The GIANTS have now played every team once this season and on Saturday will be out for revenge after the Vixens took them down with a 63-44 win at Ken Rosewall Arena in round three. A poor start cost the GIANTS in the loss, trailing by 17 at the main break before a much-improved second half.
What it Means for the GIANTS: After last week’s morale-boosting win over the Mavericks, the GIANTS will return to John Cain Arena on Saturday full of optimism as they look to take down the second-placed Vixens on their home court. After a tough start to the season the GIANTS have become more consistent in recent weeks and have won two of their last three games. In Sunday’s win over the Mavericks, the GIANTS won all four quarters to triumph 66-59 on the road. The GIANTS will have to be at their best again on Saturday if they’re to upset the league’s hottest side.
What it Means for the Opposition: The Vixens enter Saturday’s clash as the competition’s most in-form team after having beaten the previously undefeated West Coast Fever on their own home court at RAC Arena last week. With just one loss between the sides going into the match, the Vixens outscored the Fever 40-26 across the middle two quarters to register a huge 76-65 upset win. The Vixens now sit tied with the ladder-leading Fever at 6-1 on the season, with the Fever holding top spot only by percentage.
The Name: Jodi-Ann Ward – the Jamaican defender looked right at home last week at John Cain Arena with the 2023 Goal Defence of the Year producing arguably her best numbers of the season – 64 Nissan Net Points, four gains and six deflections. The 178cm defender will need to be at her best again this week in a bid to shut down last week’s MVP Kiera Austin.
The Number: 35 – Maddie Hay registered a team-high 35 feeds and 18 goal assists in a starring return against the Mavericks last week. In her first game of the season after overcoming off-season hip surgery, Hay was quick to make an immediate impact with an impressive performance in the midcourt for the GIANTS. With the cobwebs of her first game well and truly blown out, the GIANTS will be hoping for a similar performance from Hay against the Vixens on Saturday.
