The Firebirds five-goal triumph over the Giants at Ken Rosewall Arena was the first time in Suncorp Super Netball history the club has won an opening round fixture, and a perfect start for Kiri Wills as Firebirds' head coach.
A sellout crowd is looming for Saturday's fixture, with a record crowd at Nissan Arena for the Firebirds in a first home game of the season a distinct possibility.
The Fever head east after copping an 18-point defeat to a Grace Nweke-inspired NSW Swifts in Perth last weekend and will be eager to bounce back for coach Dan Ryan's 50th match at the helm.
LAST TIME WE MET
The Firebirds delivered an emotion-filled 78-70 victory over the Fever at Nissan Arena in the first game of co-coaches Katie Walker and Roselee Jencke's interim roles following the departure of Bec Bulley.
Donnell Wallam scored 66 points including an amazing nine Suncorp Super Shots while Lara Dunkley put in a superb midcourt display recording 23 goal assists and 35 feeds as well as two gains.
Young defender Isabelle Shearer started at SSN level for the first time and played the entire match against Fever superstar Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, capturing the eye with a mature and composed display.
TEAM NEWS
After debuting for the Firebirds last weekend, Mary Cholhok, Imogen Allison and Ashlee Barnett get the chance to appear in the purple dress for the first time in front of a home crowd. The game will also be co-captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Hulita Veve's first home match in their roles.
The Fever bring an unchanged lineup to Nissan Arena with Fowler-Nembhard still working her way towards a potential return to court, meaning Malawi international Mwai Kumwenda continues with the team after debuting in green last weekend against the Swifts.
KEY MATCHUP - Mary Cholhok vs Kadie-Ann Dehaney
Ugandan international Cholhok didn't disappoint on her Firebirds debut against the Giants, scoring 43 goals and hauled in a whopping 11 rebounds as well. Dehaney claimed three deflections and two rebounds in the Fever's opening-round loss and will pose a physical body-on-body challenge to combat Cholhok's 201cm height.
The duo clashed in the Firebirds' opening match of the Suncorp Team Girls Cup in Adelaide last month as the Fever claimed a 15-goal win and Cholhok will be out to get the points this time in front of a big Nissan Arena crowd.
KEY STAT
Macy Gardner finds herself in the company of some of the league's best defenders on the SSN stats chart following round one. The midcourter notched six deflections in the opening round win over the Giants in a typically all-action display by the Laura Geitz Medallist. Only Thunderbirds star Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (10) and Swifts Australian Diamond defender Sarah Klau (7) recorded more in Round One, showcasing Gardner's impact at both ends of the court for the Firebirds.
LAST WORD
"It's unbelievable numbers for our first home game of the season. We really do bleed purple here in Queensland and it's just super exciting that we have a full crowd all behind us, backing us in, to get our first win at home. We're just super fortunate and super grateful for this weekend and I can't wait to see everyone in the crowd." - Firebirds vice-captain LARA DUNKLEY on the prospect of a record crowd at Nissan Arena for the Firebirds for a first home match of the season.
HOW TO GET THERE
All the information regarding game day is available here. For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Sunday’s game via Foxtel or Kayo Sports, and, for the first time, on Binge. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the game via Netball pass.
