Newcastle defender Sam Poolman’s Giants meet Sunshine Coast Lightning in the final round of Super Netball on Saturday for a spot in the major semi-final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Giants were in the box seat to claim the minor premiership and a home semi-final but lost 56-53 to the Queensland Firebirds in the penultimate round last week, slipping from first to third behind the Melbourne Vixens and Lightning.
But Saturday’s final-round encounter against the Lightning at Qudos Bank Arena will give them the chance to jump back into the top two and avoid an elimination game in the first week of the four-team play-offs.
They will finish on top if they win and the Vixens stumble against West Coast Fever in Perth on Saturday.
Lightning are level on 21 points with the Vixens, one in front of the Giants, but would require an upset in Perth or a lopsided win against the Giants to deliver the percentage to finish on top.
Saturday’s game will be live on 9Gem at 7pm.
In Metro League, Hunter United surrendered their unbeaten record in division one with a surprise 49-45 loss to sixth-placed Bankstown on Thursday.
Hunter (11), who are without Karlie Robards (ankle) for three weeks, remain on top of the table after five wins and a draw, one point in front of Eastwood-Ryde and Illawarra.
In the Newcastle open championship, defending champions Souths Lions play fellow top-four side Maryville Tavern in the match of the round on Saturday. Unbeaten Wests play Junction Stella, Nova Thunder meet BNC and Forsythes take on Souths Pride.
