The 2020 fixture starts with a bang for the Queensland Firebirds with the first four rounds all high-stakes, high-emotion clashes with lots of pride – and SSN points – on the line.
The Queensland Firebirds will launch their 2020 campaign back to the winners’ circle taking on the Melbourne Vixens in Melbourne Round 1.
With three new recruits plucked from the Vixens camp, this will bring plenty of emotion to the match as we look to leverage Rudi Ellis, Ine-Mari Venter and Lara Dunkley and their insights into the Vixens game day strategies.
Our Round 2 clash will be the first home game and, if Round 1 is important to set the tone for the season, Round 2 is possibly even more crucial to christen our home venue, Nissan Arena, with its first win. The team went through the 2019 season without a win at home and every team member is focused on changing that outcome in the 2020 season.
Round 3 will be an opportunity to right a wrong when we take on the Swifts at their home ground, hopefully correcting the scoreboard following our heartbreaking one-goal final-seconds loss to them in Round 14 last season.
Round 4 is the local derby and will be played in the purple fortress, Nissan Arena. The Battle of the Bruce is always a spirited, determined contest and this time our Birdies are focused on coming out on top.
And before we can catch our breath from those first four mighty clashes, we’ll be at Round 5, which is close to our heart – the Indigenous Round. Firebirds indigenous player, Jemma Mi Mi, will proudly lead our team in a celebration of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
The season will incorporate a split round in Round 8, which will give all teams a bye either prior to or following Round 8 and this will accommodate international tournaments.
Round 8 will also reignite Queensland vs New South Wales rivalries as the Firebirds take on the Swifts the same weekend that State of Origin is played. The Firebirds will be at home that weekend and will look to the purple family for support to vanquish this foe!
Round 9 will be the second Queensland derby as we take on the Lightning, this time on their home turf.
The home stretch of the season will hopefully be the Birdies on a winning streak as we take on the Giants, followed by the Fever, the Vixens, the Magpies and we will finish up with the Thunderbirds.
Following last season’s result, the Queensland Firebirds have a renewed determination to win, a fire in the belly, a passion, and a heart of fire, that is driving us all forward for a victorious season.
The team, players and coaches along with support staff, are all focused on winning every bonus point and every game to build a string of successes that will deliver a strong result for 2020.
Our purple family is encouraged to return to be part of the tribe and cheer on the Birdies as they soar in 2020. Memberships will go on sale December 12.
