The Queensland Firebirds have given their Suncorp Super Netball finals aspirations a major boost after surviving a late charge from the Adelaide Thunderbirds to claim a thrilling 61-59 victory.
Priceline Stadium was the setting for the latest edition of the ‘Battle of the Birds’, with Adelaide coming back from 13 goals down to trail by one in the final minute in a physical contest that went down to the wire
The Firebirds held on in a frantic finish where they controlled possession for the last 50 seconds, with the experience of shooter Romelda Aiken proving vital as she added the final goal as time expired to secure the Queenslanders first back-to-back wins of the season.
Firebirds defender and Player of the Match, Kim Jenner, said the Queensland side was intent on securing the win in the closing stages.
"It was a tight one so it was great that the girls were able to play the ball around and play it really smart at the end," Jenner said after the win.
"We just played our game, making sure we were sticking to what we wanted to do and keep playing the ball forward."
Playing outside of Queensland for the first time this season, the Firebirds made the perfect start in enemy territory by scoring eight of the first nine goals.
The Queenslanders continued to pile on the pressure by earning 59 per cent of the possession in the first half, thanks to a 16-8 edge in turnovers with 13 deflections, 10 gains and eight intercepts.
The Firebirds enjoyed a 29-16 lead in the second quarter, but the long-range shooting of Georgie Horjus kept the Thunderbirds in the contest, three Suncorp Super Shots helping reduce Queensland's lead to 35-28 at halftime.
Down by 10 goals midway through the third period, Adelaide responded again as Lenize Potgieter inspired an eight-goal burst to set up a dramatic final quarter.
But the Firebirds would not be denied at the finish as Aiken ended the match with 45 goals, her sixth consecutive 40+ goal performance, while rising star Tippah Dwan produced another match-winning performance.
The shooters were once again well supported in the midcourt, as attacking pair Mahalia Cassidy and Lara Dunkley starred for the second game in a row, combining for 73 feeds and 36 goal assists across the match.
The win was built upon a foundation of defence though, as Jenner, Tara Hinchliffe and captain Gabi Simpson led the visitors to a team total of 26 deflections, 14 gains and 10 intercepts to place insurmountable pressure on the home side.
The Queensland side now sit behind the fifth-placed Giants on percentage alone and still have an outside chance of stealing fourth spot should they win their final three games and other results go their way.
The Firebirds first assignment is another instalment of the 'Battle of the Bruce', when they face local rivals the Sunshine Coast Lightning at USC Stadium on Sunday in Round 12.
