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Green eyes Super Netball finals farewell

3 minute read

Retiring Giants midcourter Kim Green hopes her Super Netball career extends into the finals despite receiving a guard of honour after beating West Coast.

Giants captain Kim Green's hopes her Super Netball career extends at least one more week after her side kept their finals dream alive with a 70-60 victory over out-of-contention West Coast Fever in Sydney.

The retirement-bound midcourter made her way through a guard of honour at Qudos Bank Arena on Saturday, but does not want the gesture to represent the end point of the 33-year-old's career.

A 10-goal victory left the Giants in the fourth and final play-off spot but they can still be overtaken by the Magpies, providing they secure at least seven from Sunday's Melbourne derby with the finals-bound Vixens.

If heartache eventuates, Green at least signed off in style with a dominant performance.

She 34 feeds and 21 goal assists, primarily to Australian international goal shoot Caitlin Bassett who nailed 47 of her 50 attempts.

Green was confident the Giants could make an impression on the finals series, if the Magpies falter.

"I know we can shake it up. They always say once you get to finals it's a completely different game," she said.

"I know we've got the team and we've definitely got the passion, the fight and the will.

"It's just a matter of getting that game tomorrow to go our way."

The Giants dropped their first possible bonus point after a sluggish opening term saw them tied with the Fever at 17-apiece.

But a barnstorming second quarter saw Green's side take a match-defining 10-goal advantage into the main break although they forfeited a second bonus point after losing the final quarter 16-18.

Green, who has played 212 elite level games and won two World Cup titles with the Diamonds during a 17-year career, thanked fans after the victory.

"Coming out here each and every week is just mind-blowing," she said.

"It's the best feeling in the world, because of you guys turning up and spending your hard-earned cash on us.

"I know a lot of you have grown up with me. You've seen the wrinkles form on my face and the muscles get bigger.

"So I just want to say huge 'thank you' to the fans and members for being a huge part of my life."

Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald, who first coached Green when she was just 16 years-old, said her captain had left an indelible mark on NSW netball.

"Kim has been the face of netball in New South Wales for a number of years and has done an incredible amount to grow our sport," she said.

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