The GIANTS’ unbeaten pre-season came to an end after going down to the West Coast Fever in both matches in Kalgoorlie on the weekend.
A 16-goal (74-58) and 20-goal margin (70-50) separated the two teams during the respective games.
Despite the result, the match play was still invaluable in the eyes of coach Julie Fitzgerald.
“Getting that strong match play in so early in the pre-season is great,” she said.
“We got to use a lot of different combinations and our young defenders Teigan O’Shannassy and Tilly (Matilda) McDonell really showed what potential they have for the future.”
West Coast Fever have retained the exact same group of 10 athletes from 2019, while the GIANTS had just the one change, with Maddie Hay stepping up following the retirement of inaugural captain Kim Green.
These two games may be the only chance they get to see each other prior to the season, with the two teams in different pools for the upcoming Team Girls Cup.
“Fever played a very fast game,” said Fitzgerald.
“They fed their shooter very well, who also shot very well, and their defence was intense.
“Overall they played with great intensity and I think it took us a while to adjust to that.”
Caitlin Bassett went down in the fourth quarter of the opening game, which saw her sidelined for the remainder of the trip and for up to the next 12 weeks.
Jamie-Lee Price was also unavailable for the two games due to attending the wedding of Diamonds teammate Gretel Tippett.
“You can’t take a player like her (Jamie-Lee Price) out and not miss her, but it gave the opportunity for others to show what they could do in that position,” said Fitzgerald.
“Jo Harten was impressive and led from the front for most of it.
“I was really happy with the form of most of our young ones.
“And Kiera Austin played across both positions (GA,WA) and did quite well.”
The GIANTS will return to training this week with the Suncorp Team Girls Cup their next focus ahead of the season.
“Consistency will be our focus as we turn our preparation to Team Girls Cup,” said Fitzgerald.
“We had really great patches but we also had other patches where we faded out of the game both as individuals and as a team.
“Consistency across 60 minutes is something we really need to work on.”
Tickets to the Suncorp Team Girls Cup, which will be held at Sydney’s newly-renovated Ken Roseweall Arena, are on now on sale. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets.
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