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Netball - 18. February 2017.

Giants and Swifts in Epic League Opener

SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL WAS FAST, FIERCE AND FRENETIC AS TOURNAMENT NEWCOMERS GIANTS NETBALL OPENED THE SEASON WITH A 58-53 WIN ON DEBUT AGAINST THE NSW SWIFTS AT SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK.



Fans could not have asked for a more intense showdown, with scores locked 42-42 at three-quarter time.

When the moment arrived it was home team the GIANTS who had more big game players.

Captain Kimberlee Green’s persistence told and supermum Rebecca Bulley grabbed a couple of intercepts to run over the top of the fighting Swifts.

“I don’t expect any different from Bec Bulley,” Green said.

“She’s a smooth operator and one of our best tonight.”

The first game of the new league benefitted from high quality shooting, with GIANT Jo Harten leading the way with a 96 per cent outing.

Swifts defender Sarah Klau was judged MVP but midcourter Paige Hadley was another standout, all but hauling her team across the line.

Giants import Serena Guthrie made history by taking the opening centre pass in the first game of the bold new competition.

But any expectations the expansion club would dominate its established crosstown rival were quickly diminished when the Swifts had the better of the first quarter.

Both defences delighted in stealing possession from the feeders as the Swifts worked their way to a three-goal quarter-time lead.

New mum Bulley, lured from retirement by the GIANTS, plucked a couple of intercepts early but it was last season’s grand finalists who used the ball better.

Import shooters Sam Wallace, from Trinidad and Tobago, and England’s Helen Housby looked cool and comfortable on debut at the pointy end of the Swifts attack.

Wallace stamped her entry card as a shooter equally at home going to the post or on the circle edge, finishing the half with an imposing 18 goals at 94 per cent.

At the other end, the Swifts’ defence kept Green and Guthrie away from the circle edge and unable to penetrate.

Thanks largely to a big quarter from Harten, the Giants machine gradually clawed back from a five-goal deficit to level at 27-27 at halftime.

The Swifts’ defence, led by skipper Abbey McCulloch continued to make life difficult for the newcomers.

Their relentless pressure forced the first move from the GIANTS, with Diamonds goaler Susan Pettitt replaced by Kristina Brice during the third term.

Guthrie was also having a tough time keeping up with Maddy Proud who had a top debut for her new club.

Despite that energy from the Swifts, they were unable to put away the GIANTS.

Brice made an instant impact and Harten sank her 24th goal as the GIANTS again fought back to level the scores at the final change.

By Damien Stannard

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