Queensland Firebirds Secure Crucial Victory Over Giants
Queensland Firebirds have delivered another blow to the Giants, securing a 71-64 victory in a closely contested match between two of the Super Netball league’s strongest teams. The game was a showcase of resilience and tactical adjustments, with the Giants initially appearing to be on track for a hard-fought win before being overtaken by their Brisbane hosts in the final quarter.
This win marks the Firebirds’ third victory of the season, keeping their slim hopes of making the finals alive. Meanwhile, the Giants remain at the bottom of the ladder, struggling to find consistency in their performance.
The first quarter saw the Giants take an early lead, finishing with a score of 18-16. They extended their advantage to 39-33 by halftime, thanks largely to the long-range shooting of Matisse Letherbarrow. Her five two-point super shots in the second quarter were instrumental in giving the Giants a comfortable lead.
However, the tide began to turn in the third quarter as the Firebirds made key adjustments. Kiwi shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit rose to the occasion, stepping up her performance in the goal circle. The Firebirds won the third quarter 18-13, narrowing the gap to just one point at 52-51.
The final quarter was a battle of wills, with both teams pushing hard. It was the Firebirds who ultimately prevailed, with Maddy Gordon dominating in the midcourt. Mary Cholhok provided early scoring in the goal circle, while the Queensland defenders effectively slowed the Giants’ ball movement, allowing the home side to take full control.
The Firebirds managed to neutralize the damaging super shot shooting of Letherbarrow and Sophie Dywer, which had been a key factor in the Giants’ earlier success. Cholhok finished the game with 34 goals from 41 attempts, while Selby-Rickit added 18 goals from 22 shots, including four super shots and 20 goal assists.
Letherbarrow (27 from 33) and Dwyer (25 from 26) were the main contributors for the Giants, but they couldn’t maintain their momentum in the crucial final quarter.
Selby-Rickit, who was named player of the match, emphasized the importance of the win for the Firebirds. “We’ve got our backs up against the wall at the moment and we need to win every single game from here if we want to make the top four,” she said. “We came out today and stuck with them, and it was a grind that first half. We threw away a bit of ball, but I think at the end we had composure to come home with the win.”
Only one team in Super Netball history — the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2018 — has gone through a season without a victory. The Giants will now face their next challenge against the Thunderbirds next Saturday, with the opportunity to improve their position in the standings.
This match highlighted the intensity and unpredictability of the Super Netball competition, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses. As the season progresses, the pressure will continue to mount on all sides, particularly for the Firebirds, who are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.
