Backing up from last weekend’s narrow one-goal loss to premiers Adelaide in South Australia, the Firebirds simply blew the GIANTS away in the opening quarter before holding off their opponents in a tense finish to secure a 65-62 win.
Ruby Bakewell Doran and Remi Kamo stood tall in defence, turning every turnover into a scoring opportunity, while Donnell Wallam's prolific scoring spree put the Firebirds firmly in control.
The Australian Diamond shot 19 from 19 in the first quarter alone, including a buzzer-beater Suncorp Super Shot to ensure a 21-11 advantage at the first break.
Wallam would finish the match with 53 goals from 60 attempts including two Suncorp Super Shots.
Hulita Veve was also a brick wall at wing defence, effectively neutralising Chelsea Pitman’s influence in a crucial mid-court match-up.
Pitman would finish the match with just 14.5 Nissan Net Points and seven goal assists under the suffocating pressure of the Tongan captain.
The GIANTS turned to their bench in the second quarter, injecting Sam Winders and a flurry of Suncorp Super Shots by Sophie Dwyer – in her 50th SSN appearance – and Jo Harten mean the margin was just four at the main break.
The Firebirds ramped up their midcourt pressure in the third team with Lara Dunkley (25 goal assists, 19 centre pass receive, 43 feeds and three deflections) and Macy Gardner standing tall.
That enabled the hosts to open up a seven-point lead at the final change.
That lead was cut to just two late in the game when a crucial tip by Kamo secured possession and the Firebirds were able to see out the dying seconds for a confidence-building win ahead of next weekend’s visit by the NSW Swifts.
All Firebirds home games for the 2024 season are now on sale via Ticketek and every Firebirds match is also live and on demand on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
