The Firebirds fell to a two-goal loss to table-topping West Coast Fever last weekend despite a heart-stopping second-half comeback inspired by a Suncorp Super Shot spree from Donnell Wallam.
After losing their opening three matches, the Giants have rebounded into form with back-to-back wins over Adelaide and Collingwood.
LAST TIME WE MET
A Suncorp Super Shot with just seconds to go by Giants’ captain Jo Harten broke Firebirds’ hearts in a First Nations Round clash at Nissan Arena last June. Donnell Wallam scored 45 points for the home team including two final-quarter Suncorp Super Shots to put the Firebirds up by one points but Harten’s own long-range bomb secured a 73-72 win for the visitors.
TEAM NEWS
Firebirds Head Coach Bec Bulley will have some thinking to do over her starting seven after halftime substitutes Macy Gardner and Emily Moore both made big impacts in the second-half fightback against the Fever last weekend. Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer continue to provide a dangerous combination for the Giants while midcourters Jamie-Lee Price and Amy Parmenter were in great form last weekend against the Magpies.
KEY MATCHUP – LARA DUNKLEY v AMY PARMENTER
Dunkley notched 73.5 Nissan NetPoints against the Fever last weekend, claiming 31 centre-pass receives and making 21 feeds and 13 goal assists in a four-quarter display. The Firebirds’ vice-captain will have to be at her best again this Sunday against Australian international Parmenter. The heartbeat of the Giants’ midcourt, Parmenter had four gains, three intercepts and six deflections in a typically all-action display against Collingwood.
KEY STAT
Sunday’s game will be Giants Netball’s 100th Suncorp Super Netball match. The Firebirds have played the Giants 12 times overall, winning four and losing seven with one draw.
LAST WORD
“There’ll be lots of hugs and smiles before and after the game but everyone knows that when you’re on that court there’s no love lost and both teams will be doing whatever it takes to get that win.” – Firebirds’ goaler and GIANTS Academy product Emily Moore on what it’ll mean to face a club she knows so well.
HOW TO GET THERE
Tickets are still available via Ticketek. All the information regarding game day is available here.
