The Firebirds head south on a high after last weekend's impressive 10-point win over reigning premiers Adelaide Thunderbirds at Nissan Arena.
Julie Fitzgerald's Giants meanwhile were defeated 74-60 at John Cain Arena by the in-form Melbourne Vixens.
LAST TIME WE MET
The Firebirds picked up their first win of the 2024 season with a 65-62 Round 2 win over the Giants at Nissan Arena when these two teams last met.
Donnell Wallam's 53 goals including two Suncorp Super Shots led the scoring for the hosts while Hulita Veve put in a superb defensive midcourt display to shut down opposite number Chelsea Pitman.
The victory was set up thanks to a dominant opening quarter where the Firebirds blew their opponents off the court, taking a 21-11 lead at the first turn.
TEAM NEWS
Firebirds captain Kim Ravaillion is still sidelined due to the lower leg injury which ruled her out of last weekend's clash with the Thunderbirds, meaning young gun Jess Milne, who debuted in that win, remains in the squad as a temporary replacement player.
Isabelle Shearer will make her return with the Firebirds Futures in Super Netball Reserves after missing the Thunderbirds match with a quad injury, meaning Ali Miller will also stay in an unchanged matchday squad as she looks to potentially make her own SSN debut if she takes the court.
The Giants have been given a big boost with Australian Diamond Jamie-Lee Price to return after missing last weekend's clash with the Vixens with minor knee injury. Sunday's game will also be a chance to farewell 2011 Firebirds premiership player Pitman after the Giants recruit announced her retirement earlier in the week after a stint as a temporary replacement player for Maddie Hay.
KEY MATCHUP - Lara Dunkley v Jamie-Lee Price
Dunkley started at centre last weekend and has been in and out of the C bib across the season. The Firebirds' vice-captain's physical presence will be a big plus against Giants star Price, whose absence last weekend against the Vixens was keenly felt by her team.
Dunkley was among the standout performers when these two teams met in Round 2, with 25 goal assists, 19 centre pass receive, 43 feeds and three deflections. If she can deliver with similar impact and nullify Price's influence on the game it will go a long way to securing the win for the Firebirds.
KEY STAT
The Firebirds recorded their highest shooting accuracy of the season from one-point range in last weekend's win over the Thunderbirds, scoring 92.6 per cent of their one-point shots. The Firebirds goalers will be eager to better this against the Giants, who boast the shortest defence circle in the competition with an average height of 183cm across their three circle defenders.
HOW TO WATCH
Watch Sunday’s game live and on demand on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. International viewers can catch the entire 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season live and on demand via Netball Pass.
