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Bassett misses out as Giants scrap to draw

3 minute read

Caitlin Bassett may have been missing, but Jo Harten's heroics almost stole a win for her side as the Giants fought out a 77-77 draw against the Swifts.

CAITLIN BASSETT.
CAITLIN BASSETT. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Caitlin Bassett may have played her last game in Australia's national league after her late scratching from the Giants' final-round 77-77 draw against the NSW Swifts in Brisbane.

A miserable Super Netball campaign, during which she lost her starting spot to rising star Kiera Austin, ended a game early for the Australia captain due to a knee injury suffered in training.

Bassett is considering a change of club for next season and has been linked with New Zealand outfit Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.

The two-time World Cup winner's possible exit would be an unflattering farewell for an Australian great whose Giants went within a whisker of an upset despite trailing by as many as 10 goals during a frantic last quarter.

Swifts spearhead Sam Wallace was brilliant in the shooting circle with 50 goals including six from super shot range.

She was almost upstaged by Giant Jo Harten, who nailed six super shots in the last quarter alone to haul her team level.

Harten finished with 34 goals at 87 per cent accuracy while teammate Amy Parmenter overcame her disappointment at being overlooked for the Diamonds squad with a fine game.

The result means the Swifts will play in next week's minor semi-final, with coach Briony Akle and captain Maddy Proud insisting the side has regained its upbeat vibe.

"Obviously today wasn't the result we were after but if you look at the last two or three weeks, every game we've been building," Proud said.

The Giants have missed the finals for the second straight season but should be satisfied with the improvement shown by Austin and young midcourters Maddie Hay and Parmenter.

Harten was the player the team looked to when it was tight and she did not disappoint.

"When everything's on the line and you want to get your team back in it you want to be the one to put your hand up, which is what I did today," Harten said.

The Swifts have endured some wobbles in recent weeks and after losing goal attack Helen Housby with illness before the game they again started slowly against the determined Giants.

They trailed throughout the first half and only wrestled back control of the contest thanks to a 23-goal third quarter.

Defenders Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau pocketed five third-term gains between them to help establish an eight-goal lead at three-quarter time.

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