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Giants stay in Super Netball contention

3 minute read

International pair Jamie-Lee Price and Jo Harten have lifted to help the Giants to a 69-54 Super Netball win against the Collingwood Magpies in Brisbane.

JOANNE HARTEN.
JOANNE HARTEN. Picture: Kerry Marshall/Getty Images

Only time will tell if the Giants can convert their fingertip hold on finals contention into a Super Netball top-four berth.

What is known after their 69-54 win against the Collingwood Magpies at Brisbane's Nissan Arena is they seem determined to take coach Julie Fitzgerald and their fans on a wild ride.

Their third win from eight starts showcased their best and worst qualities.

They were forgettable in the first quarter when turnovers and indecision hampered their efforts.

Beyond that they were a different side as centre Jamie-Lee Price and shooter Jo Harten set a higher standard.

Benching Caitlin Bassett to form a moving circle with Harten (27/34) and Kiera Austin (25/33) was another feature of the turnaround.

"We did a really good job at staying calm," Price said.

"We could have got carried away and tried to go for two point shots but every ball we got, we looked after it."

The Giants seized control of the contest in the middle terms when they crushed the Magpies 41-24.

Magpies pair Geva Mentor (eight gains) and Jodi Ann Ward (11 gains) were defiant but they could not do enough to slow the Giants once they bolted.

"Our defensive intensity really dropped then we started on a chase," Magpies coach Rob Wright said.

"As that momentum swung (the Giants) got really confident."

To be any chance, the Magpies would have to lift in the absence of midcourter Madi Browne who was rested from the game to give her reconstructed knee a break.

Knee soreness prompted Wright to spell the former Diamond and she will be sent for a check-up on Monday.

Her teammates lifted, dominating the Giants for much of the first half before a Harten super shot barrage carved the Magpies lead to one goal at halftime.

The problem for the Giants had been an inability to convert their centre passes to goals, and a tardiness that wasn't present in earlier performances.

After halftime there was far more attention to detail.

Wing attack Maddie Hay became a more reliable feeder and her Giants teammate April Brandley heaped pressure on the Magpies' attackers.

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