The Lightning were simply too good across all four quarters in the latest instalment of the Battle of the Bruce, with the 14-goal defeat ending the Firebirds' unbeaten start to the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season.
With former Firebird Mahalia Cassidy and Queensland pathways product Cara Koenen both celebrating their 100-game milestones, the hosts came out humming and held a four-goal lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Despite repeated attempts at a comeback, even closing within a goal in the second quarter, the Firebirds couldn't hold off the two-point shooting of the Lightning as the hosts won every quarter on their way to the victory.
In the face of the experienced shooting combination of Steph Fretwell and Koenen, Firebirds' co-captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran shone in defence, claiming a whopping nine gains and two intercepts.
Fellow leader Hulita Veve, injected into the match after starting on the bench, also performed strongly against Australian Diamonds captain Liz Watson finishing the match with 11 goal assists and a gain.
The Firebirds however were just unable to get in a scoring rhythm with a missed shot conversion rate of just 10 per cent compared to the Lightning's 21 per cent.
It's a defeat which will give Head Coach Kiri Wills and her team plenty to work on ahead of next weekend's trip to Sydney to face the unbeaten NSW Swifts at Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday, May 4.
Tickets to every Firebirds home match in 2025 are available now through Ticketek.
