GIANTS NETBALL SHOOTER KRISTINA BRICE DELIVERED ON CUE TO SEND HER SIDE INTO NEXT WEEKEND’S SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL PRELIMINARY FINAL AGAINST THE MELBOURNE VIXENS.
Brice’s involvement fluctuated just as much as the scoreline as the Giants fought back from six goals down during the final quarter to stage a 52-51 comeback win in the minor semi-final against Magpies Netball at Sydney Olympic Park.
The result sent the Magpies tumbling out of the finals race and they were a shattered outfit after letting slip such a commanding lead.
Giants defenders Sam Poolman and Rebecca Bulley had mighty games and they won timely gains in the dying minutes to create match turning momentum on their home court.
But it was Brice, who landed 29 goals, who scored the match-winning goal after being fed by outstanding wing attack Susan Pettitt.
Brice and stand-in captain Jo Harten (23 goals) were tough when it mattered after withstanding enormous pressure from the Magpies defenders.
Magpies shooter Caitlin Thwaites (37 goals) could not have done much more to haul her side home.
Weight of performances demanded the selection of unorthodox combinations at each attack end.
The Magpies again rewarded Shae Brown’s energy and invention with a second start at goal attack.
Their opponents finally started with Pettitt at wing attack, a position in which she has delivered at the death on a number of occasions this season.
It was a different look that suited the Giants.
Brice, in her first starting appearance for the season, rewarded her coach’s faith with 11 first quarter goals.
Her first shot was an air ball, but after that she grew in confidence with every attempt.
The Giants threatened to blow the game wide open in the second quarter.
Brown swung in and out of the game, and was pressed hard by Giants’ defender Bulley as the orange outfit jumped to a six-goal lead in the second quarter.
The Magpies won enough ball at their defence end to stay in the fight and trailed 26-24 at halftime.
Momentum remained with the Magpies on the other side of halftime.
Their pass placement, movement and decision-making was superior to their rivals in the third term.
There was precision and urgency about everything the Magpies did and they found themselves up by two goals as Madi Robinson and Kim Ravaillion ramped up the pace.
Conversely, the Giants were not as positive with their movement at the attack end and were unable to reward the fine work of defenders Bulley and Poolman.
The Magpies stretched the lead to six before the Giants came at them again.
Brice’s supply was cut off at times by Sharni Layton but she kept presenting at the post to give her side a target.
