The Giants will host subsequent week’s Orderly Netball minor semi-closing after locking in third divulge with a 68-65 victory over Sunshine Float Lightning.
Having guaranteed a top-four assemble with closing week’s dramatic one-aim score over Queensland Firebirds, the Giants took care of change in opposition to the Lightning at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday to make certain that fourth-ranked Collingwood Magpies can not overtake them within the closing spherical.
The Giants built a pleased 14-aim succor within the 2d quarter then withstood a gradual field from the closing-placed Lightning to qualify for the finals for the 2d twelve months in a row.
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Taking a look to dash one better following their four-aim loss to NSW Swifts in closing season’s championship decider, Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald praised the system her squad bounced motivate from COVID outbreaks and three losses in their opening four games to come motivate to the finals.
“It has been a really immense season and I think now we had been through plenty in this season so that you can assemble third, we’re very, very joyful with … it system the field to us,” Fitzgerald acknowledged because the Giants await the of the closing spherical 14 fits to discover who they’re going to face subsequent week.
Collingwood can steady the closing playoff divulge by defeating minor premiers Melbourne Vixens in Monday’s blockbuster derby clash however the door stays commence for the Firebirds, Adelaide Thunderbirds or Swifts to assemble fourth with a Magpies loss.
The Giants scored the outlet six needs of the sport then absorbed a transient flourish from Sunshine Float to handbook 39-27 at halftime. A 20-aim 2d quarter brought on memories of their 82-54 shellacking over the Lightning motivate in spherical seven.
But with Cara Koenen (39 needs at 100 per cent accuracy) spearheading the attack, the company launched a 2d-half of fightback and offered a pair of anxious moments for the Giants when a gradual two-level flurry from Reilley Batcheldor closed the outlet to three within the demise seconds.
It took a Tilly McDonell interception to crash all hope of a miracle assemble for the Lightning, the 2-time premiership winners closing the season on the bottom of the ladder and lacking the semi-finals for the first time in their six-twelve months history.
Captain Jo Harten (45-of-49 at 92 per cent accuracy) produced but another MVP performance but despatched a dread during the Giants camp when she fell to the court clutching her motivate following a intelligent collision within the closing quarter.
However the inspirational captain played out the leisure of the match and looks to make sure to make a selection her space within the minor semi.
“She is all factual, my coronary heart did stop when she took that tumble,” Fitzgerald acknowledged in regards to the incident appealing Harten.
“But she’s extra special – not finest with what she does on the court but as a captain off the court for us.”