The GIANTS will be looking to score the upset of the season as they take on the undefeated Vixens on their home floor.
When and Where: Sunday, May 3 at 4pm at John Cain Arena.
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: You don’t have to look too far back for when the sides last met, with the Vixens recording a 68-52 win over the GIANTS in round two as part of a record-breaking double-header at Qudos Bank Arena. The Vixens got the jump on the GIANTS in the early season clash to lead by three at the first break and by 12 at the half before running out 16-goal winners. Sophie Dwyer was the GIANTS’ highest rated player, racking up 75.5 net points. Jane Watson was also brilliant in defence, while the midcourt trio of Whitney Souness, Amy Sligar and Hope White were tireless throughout. Despite the loss it was a special occasion for the GIANTS, with popular player Tilly McDonell playing her final game as a GIANT after announcing her retirement from elite netball.
What it Means for the GIANTS: There’s no tougher task than beating the undefeated reigning premiers on their own home court, but the GIANTS have nothing to lose and will come out swinging on Sunday afternoon. The GIANTS will need to get off to a much better start this week if they’re to provide the upset of the season, with Nerida Stewart’s side slow out of the blocks and unable to recover in last week’s loss to the Swifts in the NSW Derby. The GIANTS trailed by seven at quarter-time and by 14 at the half in the Derby, and despite winning the final term by six goals, it was too little too late as they fell 72- 59. While it won’t get any easier against the 7-0 Vixens, the GIANTS will be hoping they can replicate the form shown in the final term against the Swifts and give the Vixens a run for their money on Sunday. As well as their strong final quarter, the form of Jodi-Add Ward in defence and Sophie Dwyer in attack were other positives out of last week’s Derby, while replacement players Skye Thompson and Dakota Thomas celebrated their SSN debuts.
What it Means for the Opposition: The Melbourne Vixens come into this clash as the benchmark of the competition, sitting undefeated and brimming with confidence. Their ability to control games from the outset has been a defining feature of their season, consistently building scoreboard pressure early and forcing opponents to play catch-up. Back on their home court at John Cain Arena, the Vixens will be looking to maintain their perfect record and continue to assert their dominance as the team to beat in Suncorp Super Netball.
The Name: Kiera Austin – the barometer in the Vixens’ attacking end and a genuine game-changer. She leads the league for Super Shots, giving her side a powerful scoring weapon that can quickly shift momentum. Add in her defensive pressure and ability to create turnovers, and she looms as a key threat the GIANTS must contain.
The Narrative: The GIANTS head into the contest as underdogs against an unbeaten powerhouse, but that also brings freedom - there’s no expectation, only opportunity. For the Vixens, the pressure is very different: maintaining perfection. Any slip-up opens the door for challengers and shifts the narrative of their season. The longer the GIANTS can stay in the contest, the more that pressure may begin to build on the home side.
The Notes: “The Vixens are the benchmark for a reason, so for us it’s about matching their intensity early and staying connected across the court. We know what we’re capable of when we play our brand of netball, we’ve seen that in patches throughout the first half of the season and we will need to bring that for a full 60 minutes on Sunday.” - Nerida Stewart.
