The Firebirds travel to UniSC Arena having not won against the Lightning since Round 2, 2022 but full of confidence after a 2-0 start to the season for the first time since their 2016 premiership-winning campaign.
The Lightning are aiming to bounce back meanwhile from a Round 2 loss to Adelaide Thunderbirds on their home court.
LAST TIME WE MET
A record-breaking crowd of 4788 at Nissan Arena wasn't enough to deliver a win for the Firebirds in an emotional First Nations Round clash against the Lightning last July, with the visitors claiming a 16-goal win.
The match began after a memorable Welcome to Country including a spine-tingling performance by Mitch Tambo and the Voice of Le Le which had the bumper crowd pumping before a ball had been passed.
The return of Firebirds captain Kim Ravaillion from injury wasn't enough for the hosts however, who couldn't overcome a 14-point halftime deficit despite a great impact off the bench by Emily Moore including seven Suncorp Super Shots.
TEAM NEWS
The Firebirds head north with a fully fit selection having being gifted a rest over the Easter Weekend as part of the SSN split round.
The Lightning were boosted by the return of former Firebird Leesa Mi Mi from a calf injury for their clash with the Thunderbirds with the Wakka Wakka woman expected to take on her old teammates.
Another ex-Firebirds, 2016 premiership squad member Mahalia Cassidy, will celebrate her 100th National League appearance with Lightning teammate and Queensland pathways product Cara Koenen also set to reach the 100-game milestone in Saturday's fixture.
KEY MATCHUP - Hulita Veve vs Liz Watson
It's the Queen of Tonga against Australia's captain in an intriguing midcourt battle with Veve facing off against Diamonds star Liz Watson.
The duo have tussled at SSN and international level and with Watson forming a key link to the Lightning's goal-scoring duo of Steph Fretwell and Cara Koenen, Veve's lockdown defence will be highly valued in trying to limit Watson's influence.
Veve was a standout when the two teams met at the Suncorp Team Girls Cup in Adelaide earlier this year, picking up two gains, two intercepts and two deflections as she played the full 40 minutes across wing defence and centre.
KEY STAT
The Lightning's loss to Adelaide in their opening home match of the season mean's Sunshine Coast have won just two of their past seven matches at UniSC Arena and the Firebirds will be eager to keep those struggles going as they chase a third win in their eighth trip to the venue.
HOW TO WATCH
Watch Saturday’s game live and on demand on Kayo Sports and Foxtel as well as on Binge. International viewers can catch the entire 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season live and on demand via Netball Pass.
