The Lorna Jane Queensland Firebirds have impressed in front of a huge home crowd, showing grit and composure to draw 57 a-piece with the Collingwood Magpies.
The Firebirds had a point to prove early, after a disappointing finish to their first-round clash against the Melbourne Vixens.
The home team ran out for the first time at the Queensland State Netball Centre to a lively 4578 fans who turned out despite the pouring rain.
After spilling possession 30 times in last week’s loss to the Vixens, the Firebirds were careful to treasure the ball early. The supercharged atmosphere had the Magpies on their toes though, spraying the ball over the sideline on multiple occasions.
It wasn’t easy for the Firebirds to capitalise though, despite slick shooting from Gretel Tippett, the home team could only manage a two-point lead into the first break.
Ash Brazill was strong for the Victorians, her pressure on Firebirds Wing Attack Caitlyn Nevins, enough to get coach Roselee Jencke questioning the match up.
Jemma Mi Mi entered the contest in the second quarter, her agility and speed challenging AFLW convert Brazill.
A rare missed layup from a flying Gretel Tippett let the Magpies close the deficit, before the Firebirds went on a 9-1 run that had the packed home crowd on their feet.
Kim Jenner continued her trend of being a pest to opposition shooters, not giving Sinclair or Medhurst an inch in the circle. Her growth in partnership with Tara Hinchliffe extremely promising for the Queensland side.
The Firebirds looked well ahead at the half time break, putting an eight-point buffer on the Super Netball Premiership favourites.
The half-time break once again proved a curse for the Firebirds, the fired-up Magpies returned to the court with a full head of steam to eat away at half the eight-point deficit within the first three minutes.
With the margin narrowed to two, Caitlyn Nevins returned to the court and steadied the ship for the Firebirds – halting the Magpies momentum.
Captain Gabi Simpson was getting her hands in everything, finishing the match with a string of gains, pickups and an intercept, her visible enthusiasm bringing the crowd into the match come the final quarter.
The Magpies weren’t going to go down without a fight and with scores neck and neck in the final quarter, the match was going to come down to the final buzzer.
Shooter Shimona Nelson was impressive for the visitors, taking ball after ball with great athleticism, not rattled by the growing noise of the home crowd.
In the final passage of play, the young Firebirds team was able to maintain incredible composure and utilise the ball well in hand.
With just eight seconds on the clock, MVP Kim Jenner spoiled the Magpies final chance at the win, scrambling for a loose ball and leaving scores deadlocked at 57-all on the final buzzer.
Score Breakdown
Q1: Firebirds 15 v Magpies 13
Q2: Firebirds 17 v Magpies 11
Q3: Firebirds 11 v Magpies 18
Q4: Firebirds 14 v Magpies 15
Suncorp Super Netball Premiership Points
Firebirds – 4
Magpies – 4
Suncorp Super Netball Premiership Points
Firebirds – 4
Magpies – 4
Nissan Player of the Match
Queensland Firebirds – Kim Jenner
Firebirds shooting statistics
Romelda Aiken: 31/39 (79%)
Gretel Tippett: 26/27 (96%)
Magpies shooting statistics
Shimona Nelson: 42/47 (89%)
Nat Medhurst: 10/12 (83%)
Gabrielle Sinclair: 5/5 (100%)
