Queensland Firebirds took a decisive step towards sealing a top four spot with a commanding 60-33 win over the Central Pulse on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
In a virtual play-off to decide the fourth-placed team, the Firebirds made no race of it, dominating from the outset as they overpowered the talent-laden visitors, who faltered badly and barely fired a shot.
Coming off their bye, Firebirds continued their strong second half of the season to post their fifth straight win in a totally convincing performance where they could do little wrong.
In a must-win match, history was against the Pulse, who have never won in Australia and never beaten the Firebirds, the disappointing showing almost certainly ending the Wellington-based franchise’s season.
Looking to make the Finals Series for the first time, Pulse were kept below 10 goals in each quarter while a storming first quarter laid the platform for Firebirds to maintain their stranglehold in building on an ever-widening lead.
With both teams season’s riding on the match, it was the home team who made the biggest statement as they got off to a scorcher.
Pulse never recovered from losing the first centre pass, their form spiralling downward as the home team inflicted an intense and damaging opening to completely knock the visitors off their stride. Captain Laura Geitz, Clare McMeniman, Gabi Simpson and Kim Ravaillion provided an oppressive defensive line which shut down Pulse’s attacking momentum at will.
At the other end there was a seamless supply of ball to in-form shooter Romelda Aiken, who powered the home team out to a healthy advantage within a matter of minutes.
It took the Pulse midway through the spell to notch just their second goal as their tale of woe unfolded.
The Firebirds simply carved up across all facets of the court in a dominant opening quarter, enjoying the lion’s share of the possession as shown through their 21 attempts at goal compared to the Pulse’s meagre eight. That provided the ammunition for a healthy 17-7 Firebirds lead at the first break.
With urgent remedial action needed, Pulse replaced Camilla Lees with new mum Leana Leota at wing attack on the resumption which initially had little effect on the continued onslaught from the home team.
Things looked even more ominous for the Pulse when the home team notched the first five goals, Aiken becoming the first player to score 3500 goals in the league in the process, the machine-like Firebirds delivering a quality performance.
Every movement was a constant struggle for the Pulse, a steady stream of turnovers resulting as the difference blew out to 21.
With Leota providing some late spark and Ama Agbeze introduced for Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit at goal defence midway through the spell, Pulse made some belated inroads but it was to little avail as the Firebirds marched into halftime with an impressive 34-16 advantage.
The Pulse produced a competitive third quarter, the athletic Agbeze giving the visitors some added punch but there was little in their armour to threaten the well-drilled and purposeful Firebirds.
All of the home team put their hands up, showing their commitment to the task at hand in continuing to deliver on their excellence of the first half and playing their individual roles to a tee.
With the Firebirds stretching out to a 46-25 lead at the last break and the result a foregone conclusion, there was nothing the Pulse could do except try and limit the damage in a largely forgettable outing.
Firebirds shooting statistics:
Romelda Aiken 46/53 (87%)
Amy Wild 14/22 (64%)
Pulse shooting statistics:
Irene van Dyk 13/14 (93%)
Donna Wilkins 12/15 (80%)
Paula Griffin 8/12 (67%)
Match MVP: Romelda Aiken (Firebirds)
