The Firebirds moved off the bottom of the Suncorp Super Netball ladder with their win over the Magpies while the Thunderbirds are top of the pile after a four-point victory over the Giants last weekend.
LAST TIME WE MET
A fast start wasn’t enough for the Firebirds in their 2023 season opener at Nissan Arena against the Thunderbirds, as Queensland fell to a 15-point defeat despite leading by as much as eight early in the second quarter. English import Eleanor Cardwell scored three Suncorp Super Shots on her Thunderbirds debut while ex-Firebird Tippah Dwan scored 17 of 22 goals including a Suncorp Super Shot. Remi Kamo and Emily Moore both made their SSN debuts for the Firebirds.
TEAM NEWS
Tonga captain Hulita Veve continues as a temporary replacement player having come into the team for last week’s match against Collingwood in place of injured Macy Gardner. The Thunderbirds have no selection issues heading into the match.
KEY MATCHUP – EMILY MOORE v MATILDA GARRETT
Emily Moore played her first full 60-minute SSN match in the six-goal win over the Magpies, connecting well with the Firebirds mid-court and in-form shooter Donnell Wallam. With Wallam set to be caught up in a titanic battle with superstar Thunderbirds defender Shamera Sterling, whether Moore can get the upper-hand over Garrett to help Wallam will be a crucial aspect of the Firebirds’ hopes.
KEY STAT
Firebirds vice-captain Lara Dunkley will make her 50th SSN appearance in Saturday’s game. The Victorian product, who played two games for the Melbourne Vixens before her move to Queensland, has become a fan favourite at the Firebirds bringing passion to the game on and off the court and is coming off the back of a big game against the Magpies where she recorded 101.5 Nissan NetPoints and 25 goal assists.
LAST WORD
"50 games is a lot of games, especially at this level. I've had so many memories and made some incredible friends and learnt so much. So it's just been an incredible experience." - Lara Dunkley ahead of her 50th SSN appearance.
HOW TO WATCH
Tune in to watch Saturday’s match live and on demand on Kayo Sports.
