Giants Netball v West Coast Fever
Saturday 24 August 2019
1.18pm
Qudos Bank Arena
Most Recent Meetings
Round seven: West Coast Fever drew 62-62 with Giants Netball at RAC Arena.
Major Semi-Final 2018: West Coast Fever defeated Giants Netball 63-57 at the State Sports Centre
Round 14 2018: Giants Netball defeated West Coast Fever 69-66 at the International Convention Centre
Round six 2018: West Coast Fever defeated Giants Netball 63-61 at RAC Arena
The Situation
The Giants and Fever built a great rivalry in 2018 as they battled it out for the Minor Premiership and then the right to host the Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final. The Giants lost starting seven players Serena Guthrie, Susan Pettitt and Bec Bulley from last year but recruited Caitlin Bassett to team with Jo Harten in a new-look goal circle. The Giants had a slow start to the season but have found their groove and have plenty to play for on Saturday, with their place in finals on the line. They are just one point ahead of fifth-placed Collingwood heading into the final round of the season. Fever can’t make finals but will be keen to build some momentum heading into 2020, though they will have to do it without Captain Courtney Bruce. The teams couldn’t be separated back in round seven in Perth and are expected to play out another physical and tight contest in Sydney.
Key Match Ups
Goal Defender v Goal Attack
Stacey Francis/ Shannon Eagland v Jo Harten
Harten has kept on keeping on with a new teammate in attack this season after the arrival of Caitlin Bassett from the Sunshine Coast Lightning. The pair share the load in the goal circle, with Harten regularly contributing more than 20 goals, while also in the top five in the competition for centre pass receives. Fellow Englishwoman Francis will be keen to take on Harten as she again steps up to the captaincy with Courtney Bruce out. Eagland also provides a strong option for Fever Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich to go to in that position, with Olivia Lewis a good chance to get more court time in Goal Keeper.
Centre v Centre
Verity Charles v Jamie-Lee Price
Charles has quietly put together a very solid season playing largely at Centre, with stints at Wing Attack. The athletic midcourter will be setting herself for a tough battle against the highly-regarded Price, who has broken into the Samsung Australian Diamonds side in the past two seasons. Price had a big game back in round seven with 17 assists and 22 feeds. Jess Anstiss has also been having regular runs at Centre but has traditionally been a great match up for Giants Captain Kim Green.
Goal Shooter v Goal Keeper
Jhaniele Fowler v Sam Poolman
Fowler poured in 61 goals when the teams last met and again looms as the key for Fever causing a boilover on the road. But Poolman was not without her wins that day after racking up five gains. Fowler has reinforced her place as the game’s best Goal Shooter with 659 goals in 2019, 106 goals more than the next best. The Jamaican Captain will want to finish her season on a high.
