Thursday’s game between the GIANTS Academy and the Victoria Fury was one that ebbed and flowed.
Trailing by four at the end of the first quarter, the GIANTS looked impressive in the second, with a new-look shooting combination of Ang Frketic and Matisse Letherbarrow turning things around.
The pair looked comfortable and helped their side shift the momentum to take a two-goal lead into the second half.
The duo didn’t miss a goal in the second and third quarter as a well-contested game of netball was played out.
The goals were also flowing at the other end, with Fury’s Emma Ryde shooting 45/46.
GIANTS’ goal keeper Ellen Spencer did her best to shut down the former Suncorp Super Netball league goal shooter, picking up seven intercepts.
“It was disappointing not to get the win but like a lot of these games, there’s a lot of learnings that come out of them,” said Head Coach Ali Tucker Munro.
“It’s important to recognise the good things that worked, what we need to keep doing, but also reassess and reflect on some of the things that we need to be mindful of and do that in a really tight turnaround, which I’m confident we’ll be able to do.”
Momentum shifts have been one of the biggest learnings for the GIANTS' side in their past two games.
“The game is so quick at this level and things turn in a dime,” said Tucker-Munro.
“I think it’s just making sure we do the simple things really well. All those little things you do week in, week out at training become so critical, particularly when it’s under pressure and under fatigue.”
Tucker-Munro said doing the simple things well will be the focus heading into the final fixtured round against the Lightning on Friday.
“Mentally putting ourselves in a really good position. Having that trust to let the ball go, that level of confidence in each other, which we certainly have and making sure we stay connected.”
The GIANTS Academy will face off against the Lightning at 3:00pm Friday before beginning the play offs across Saturday and Sunday.
