Monday night’s impressive 10-goal win against the Sunshine Coast Lightning was the perfect way for the Queensland Firebirds to put an emotional ‘rollercoaster’ of a week behind them, according to coach Megan Anderson.
The Firebirds delivered the gutsy 59-49 victory in front of a home crowd at Nissan Arena, less than 24 hours after losing key duo Tara Hinchliffe (injury) and Tippah Dwan (quarantine).
Speaking post-match, a delighted Anderson spoke of the tight bond the Firebirds had developed this season as a catalyst behind the team’s third-straight win.
“I was just so proud that the girls showed so much fight and really stuck together and ground out a really good win,” she said.
“I think probably the Giants win was the season-defining one, but this one was more special because of all of the stuff that has happened this week.
“Just to see everyone and the strength, and the belief and confidence in each other tonight was the most pleasing thing. It just warms your heart out there on court when everybody just sticks together and that’s the most important thing.
“It is just so good to see everybody playing well, it just… it makes me proud.”
The Firebirds played at home for the first time since their round seven loss to the Fever on June 13.
It seemed the home crowd became the eighth player for the Firebirds, as the purple family spurred them on in the gruelling battle.
“It was so good to be back,” Anderson said
“We have been manifesting and imagining our own crowds for the last two weeks, so it was good to see the purple family and just have our wider support staff here and be able to share in it was really good.”
With Hinchliffe missing the match through injury, it put extra pressure on Kim Jenner, though the athletic goal defence stood up when it mattered.
The ever-humble Jenner deflected any individual recognition and chose to praise her teammates, especially Rudi Ellis who was a standout in the absence of Hinchliffe.
“It was really tough having Tarz go down, but Rudi really stepped up and put it all out there which was so exciting to see,” Jenner said.
“She is absolutely amazing and brings so much to the line-up. We also have Ruby (Bakewell-Doran) there as well which brings so much depth to the team.
“Everyone worked really hard out there and worked on their own players, and we connected really well throughout the whole court.
“It just shows how strong our team is and we have really banded together and come out the other side so strong and I am so proud of the group and the way we have handled everything that has been thrown at us.”
Firebirds goal shooter Romelda Aiken will have her ankle assessed in the coming days, after injuring it during the final term, though the fact she finished off the game was pleasing.
