GIANTS Netball returned to their winning ways on Sunday afternoon, claiming a nine-goal victory over Collingwood Magpies to keep their season on track. In Geva Mentor‘s 200th national league game, the milestone was soured by the GIANTS’ form as they kept a narrow buffer throughout the content to eventually claim the 58-49 victory.

One Magpies blow was traded for another this week as Gabby Sinclair returned, however the loss of Kelsey Browne hurt the side as they struggled to generate circle movement with the GIANTS defence fired up from the get-go. A hot start from Sophie Dwyer and Jo Harten was all the GIANTS needed to generate a bit of confidence, as the duo combined for nine of the first 14 goals as April Brandley controlled the airways, blocking Sinclair’s advances, and Sam Poolman made life hard for Shimona Nelson at the post. Despite Jodi-Ann Ward having a hot start in goal defence, piling on three intercepts in the first alone, the ease feeding into the circle from Maddie Hay was immense, despite racking up a couple of early turnovers. Super shots were put up early as the two sides looked to generate some momentum, with Sinclair sinking two to take Collingwood’s score to a more convincing nine goals at the first break, with the GIANTS leading by five (14-9) early.

An improved start did the Magpies no harm as they reduced the first quarter margin within the first five minutes of the second, with Nelson asserting herself on the contest and presenting much better in the goal circle. Despite a couple of uncharacteristic misses, the goal shooter’s improved confidence did a wealth of good for the Magpies as they limited access to the GIANTS goalers. The matchup between Jamie-Lee Price and Molly Jovic was intriguing as Maggie Lind worked in overdrive to replace Browne’s dynamic movement in attack, covered well by the ever-reliable Amy Parmenter. A couple of straight goals to the away side kept them ahead by a three-goal buffer that both sides struggled to change. But a valuable super shot opportunity went wanting as Sinclair missed from range and the GIANTS defence gobbled up the loose ball, allowing the GIANTS to add three straight goals to their three-goal buffer. With five of the last eight attempts of the quarter going the way of the Magpies it did a world of good as they headed into the main change with a four-goal deficit.

A huge second half arrived with unexpected misses from both sides starting off the third. Harten continued to fire on all cylinders with the strong drives and willingness to shoot from range, and while Mentor was getting hands to the loose ball and Ward continued to pile the pressure onto Dwyer, who struggled to find her range early, the Magpies failed to take advantage of their defensive pursuits. as the GIANTS retained the upper hand. Four straight goals from Nelson saw the margin reduce to that three-goal margin once more, but each time the Magpies managed to generate a bit of form the GIANTS fired right back. Hay’s influence in the front-end continued to showcase her connection with both Dwyer and Harten, as the midcourt combination of Parmenter and Price wreaked havoc elsewhere creating intercepts. Brandley’s newfound confidence has been working wonders this season and appeared no different as she blocked Sinclair’s impact almost entirely, seeing the GIANTS gain the upper hand once more to lead by seven goals (42-35) at the final break.

It was goal for goal as the final quarter began, with both sides treasuring the ball much more and taking advantage of each opportunity that headed their way. But still, no matter how hard the Magpies rallied, the GIANTS did not take the foot off the pedal as they remained in the lead and retained that same defensive pressure. With neither side able to change the tempo of the game, with the Magpies struggling to reduce the margin and the GIANTS unable to extend it much further, it was a couple of last ditch efforts from Nelson and Sinclair that really sealed the deal, missing successive super shots as the GIANTS mopped up the crumbs and piled on three straight as they completed the march with their largest lead of the day, a nine-goal margin (58-49).

Hay finished with 23 goal assists and two gains to her name in another impressive outing, although could tidy up finishing with five turnovers. Dwyer (31 goals from 38 attempts, three from five super shots) also finished with five turnovers but overall did a solid job up against the imposing Ward, as Harten (24 from 29) showcased her reliability, also managing three rebounds. Every single GIANTS player who took the court managed a gain, with just Dwyer not picking up an intercept to go with it. Poolman and Parmenter managed two intercepts apiece, as Brandley managed five deflections. For the Magpies, Ward impressed with 10 gains (six intercepts) while Mentor had her hands full with Harten, registering seven deflections overall (one gain). Jovic finished off the match in wing attack and register 17 goal assists overall to lead the side, as Sinclair struggled to have her same impact with nine goals from 12 attempts (three from five super shots) and nine assists. Nelson (37 from 44) was reliable as ever but just did not get her hands to enough ball to really fire for the side.

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES | 9 | 14 | 12 | 14 (49)
GIANTS NETBALL | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 (58)

STARTING SEVENS

Magpies 

GS: Shimona Nelson
GA: Gabby Sinclair
WA: Maggie Lind
C: Molly Jovic
WD: Ash Brazill
GD: Jodi-Ann Ward
GK: Geva Mentor

GIANTS

GS: Jo Harten
GA: Sophie Dwyer
WA: Maddie Hay
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Amy Parmenter
GD: April Brandley
GK: Sam Poolman

Picture credit: AAP