The Greater Western Sydney Giants managed to hold off a fast-finishing Fever to book a grand final date with their local rivals.
A superhuman defensive effort from Sam Poolman inspired the Giants to topple the West Coast Fever 64-61 in the Super Netball Preliminary Final on Saturday.
The huge victory will see the Giants take on the NSW Swifts in an all-NSW Grand Final showdown next Saturday in Brisbane.
Poolman proved that she is one of the only defenders in the league – possibly the whole world – capable of truly rattling three-time Super Netball MVP Jhaniele Fowler.
From the first whistle, the Giants goalkeeper got inside Fowler’s head.
Poolman’s pressure and niggle prevented the Jamaican goal shooter from making her usual impact under the post.
“She had an excellent game and maintained it across the four quarters … she had such a big target, such a big job, and she did it so well,” Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald said.
“And I’ve got to give credit to the support out front of (Poolman) … to slow the ball down and give her every opportunity to come onto it.”
Poolman finished on just three penalties and notched two deflections and one intercept.
The Giants’ goalkeeper forced Fowler to concede nine penalties and seven turnovers.
“For us, it’s been a really tough season. I know that it has been for all teams, but I’m very proud of our team,” Player of the Match Poolman said.
“To have a NSW vs NSW final, considering what our state has been through, it’s absolutely incredible.”
Giants midcourters Jamie-Lee Price, Maddie Hay and Amy Parmenter showcased great control and composure.
The trio nailed a combined six intercepts and seven deflections, while giving away just 14 penalties.
Fever fizzle
It was a disappointing way for Fever to finish their outstanding season. Stacey Marinkovich’s team began the season on minus 12 points, as a result of the club’s salary cap sanctions and breaches. Their “villain status” was further reinforced after a controversial stoush with the Melbourne Vixens over the cancellation of their Round 8 match. Despite the outside noise, Fever roared into finals. They won’t lift the trophy, but the Green Machine busted their guts to send off their coach Marinkovich in style.
“Pretty guttered, full credit to Giants, they had an incredible game,” Marinkovich said.
“It’s hard because I see the girls and how much effort they put in, week in, week out. We were in a predicament this season and we took that on. I’m so proud of what they did and they fought back as hard as they could.”
Battle of the captains
The match-up between opposing skippers Jo Harten and Courtney Bruce was always going to be a cracker. Heading into the game, Fever and Australian Diamonds goalkeeper Bruce led the league for deflections and sat second for intercepts and defensive rebounds.
English superstar Harten, however, had slotted more super shots than any player in 2021. There was no love lost between the pair, but it was Harten who prevailed in the physical contest on Saturday. The Giants captain shot 37 goals and worked a lethal circle combination with young gun Sophie Dwyer – the pair hardly needed to use their super shot skills.
Next stop Swifts
Hold the champagne, the job’s not done. The Giants must now return to the drawing board and devise a plan to take down their crosstown rivals the NSW Swifts in the big dance. Fitzgerald’s team fell to the Swifts by an agonizing one point in the major semi final last week. After knocking off Fever, the Giants will head into the grand final bursting with confidence – and they’ll be out for revenge. The Super Netball Grand Final kicks off at 2.30pm (EAST) on Saturday, August 28 at Nissan Arena in Brisbane.
Originally published as GWS Giants hold off West Coast Fever to book spot in Super Netball grand final