Playing on Wangal Country at Ken Rosewall Arena, the Firebirds went on a match-winning run either side of three-quarter time to surge to a dominant 68-50 win over the Giants.
Noongar woman Donnell Wallam scored 44 points despite being forced off for a period of the match with a sore finger in the second quarter – passing the 1000 goal mark in just her 25th SSN appearance on the way.
In her absence Giants academy product Emily Moore and Mia Stower provided a moving circle to great effect, Moore scoring 11 goals from 12 attempts including a Suncorp Super Shot.
Stower scored 10 goals from 12 attempts including two Suncorp Super Shots.
The game was also memorable for Wakka Wakka woman Leesa Mi Mi, who made her first Suncorp Super Netball start, playing 52 minutes and ending the game with 18 goal assists and three deflections.
Defender Remi Kamo was the outstanding player for the Firebirds, with nine gains, five intercepts and five deflections to stifle the impact of Giants’ captain Jo Harten upon her return from injury.
After a tight first half that ended level at 28-all, the Firebirds stormed into the lead in the third quarter as they went on a six-goal run to take a stranglehold on the match at the final change.
The momentum continued with as they piled on 24 points to 12 in the final term to surge to a much-needed victory.
The win is the Firebirds’ third of the season and first away win of 2023, providing them with a perfect platform ahead of next weekend’s First Nations home match against Melbourne Vixens at Nissan Arena.
