The Giants have secured the 2021 Super Netball minor premiership. (Photo: Super Netball/Twitter)
The Giants have secured the minor premiership and a double chance in a nail biting two point win over the West Coast Fever. (75-73)
They were able to claw back a six point deficit at quarter time to win the next two quarters.
Captain Jo Harten starred for the Giants, shooting at 97 per cent during regular play and sinking five Super Shots to help give her side the win.
The win came in incredible circumstances, after it was revealed only eight players were available in the squad after April Brandley and Matilda McDonell were ruled out of the match with ankle injuries.
“I think part of it is relief,” Harten said post-game.
“Playing so well with eight available squad members and the other part is pure excitement.
“There are so many young girls in our team that this is their first finals experience. To finish off a really tough 14 rounds of netball over a really classy side like the Fever, everyone is so happy and pumped.”
Having secured the minor premiership, the Giants know that there is still lots of work ahead. It won’t stop them from celebrating the milestone in the lead up to finals, however.
“It kind of means everything and nothing,” Harten said.
“We’re really proud that we can maintain our high standards, lift from last year when we were disappointed with our performance and produce some really good netball.
“We know that the job is nowhere near finished. The goal this year was to make it into the finals and we know that anything can happen. It’s another step up in intensity now.
“With this group and in these circumstances you’ve got to live everyday as it comes, and we’re going to celebrate that and then reset next week and try and lift again.”
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With the minor premiership locked in, it also comes with a double chance. If they can grab a win next week over the Swifts, the Giants will have the chance to go straight through into the grand final.
“A double chances means everything,” Harten said.
“It kind of takes the pressure off going home. It’s one of those weird scenarios when you’re missing everyone back home, missing our members, we’re missing all of our loved ones but we don’t want to leave Queensland empty handed.
“We’re going to give it absolutely everything and we really want to get into that final the first time. We also have that second chance up our sleeve if it doesn’t go quite to plan next week, but we’re going to give it absolutely everything that we’ve got.”
The win will mean the Giants will play the Swifts for a spot in the Grand Final. Harten says that the fans in New South Wales will be happy to see two local teams playing in the major semi final.
“It’s going to take a whole team effort, it’s going to take something special in finals you have to pull out all the stops.
“You’ve got to win a lot of ball and you’ve to be composed and calm in your attack end.
“To play the Swifts in the major semi final I think is quite special. We always play for the Carole Sykes Memorial Trophy, and that may not be up for grabs this time, but it’s [still] a really special encounter.
“The people back home in NSW should be proud that there are two NSW netball teams in that top semi final, and I’m sure it’s going to be a battle for the ages next weekend.”
The Giants will come up against the Swifts on Saturday at 1pm AEST to try and secure their first grand final appearance since 2018.
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