Live stream: Jets face Titans, Bull Sharks play Tigers in annual Sapphire Series NAIDOC Round

The Ispwich Jets have come from the clouds to nail the Gold Coast Titans in Netball Queensland’s annual NAIDOC Round. Check out both REPLAYS from the Sapphire Series Round 13 doubleheader.

With 90 seconds remaining the Ipswich Jets were still five points adrift of the Gold Coast Titans in their top-of-the-table clash and in need of divine intervention to get them over the line.

While help from above may not have arrived, their defensive intensity in the final seconds of the match went along way to seeing them pull of a stunning victory.

In an all-round team effort, it was the Jets’ defence which dragged them back into the contest after they had trailed for most of the match.

Six unanswered points at the end of the match saw them snatch at a 55-54 victory.

The result keeps Ipswich on top of the ladder with 38 points, with the Titans, despite their heartbreaking defeat, still equal second with Sunshine Coast Thunder (both 28 points).

REPLAY

Gold Coast Titans v TAE Ipswich Jets—Netball Queensland Sapphire Series Round 13

Bond Uni Bull Sharks v Carina Tigers—Netball Queensland Sapphire Series Round 13

PREVIEW

It’s Netball Queensland’s annual NAIDOC Round - and for TAE Aerospace Jets goal attack Lily Cubby, it’s a particularly special time.

A proud Murrawari woman, Cubby was named in the inaugural Black Swans First Nations team for the 2024 Pacific Netball Series in June.

She was one of three Queensland athletes named in the squad of 12.

And she was on hand to present her teammates with their 2024 Sapphire Series First Nations dresses ahead of their highly anticipated top of table clash with the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday.

Catch the clash as part of a big Sapphire Series doubleheader, which also includes the Bull Sharks v Tigers, from 4pm.

Check the full LIVE STREAM schedule for details.

“It’s a big day for Lily,” Jets coach Paula Stuart said.

“This day means a lot to her and we want to acknowledge that with her.”

GWS Giants pathway defender Charli Fidler will bolster the Jets’ line-up this weekend as they battle low numbers due to Firebirds Futures player management.

While players will be available on game day, Stuart was without Elsa Sandholt, Cubby and Lily Gribble for training through the week.

“It’s a bit disruptive coming into finals,” Stuart said.

Despite the unorthodox lead-in, she is confident her side are well-prepped for their race to a premiership.

“I’m actually really excited,” she said.

“We’re in a good position.”

“I don’t care about minor premiers, my goal was just to finish in the top two.

“Now that we’ve solidified that, it’s about making sure our next two weeks of match play is working ahead of finals.”

With former New Zealand shooter Cat Latu having played six quarters for the Jets between rounds 10 and 11, and Fidler only requiring one more, both fill-ins will be eligible to take the court in finals, if needed.

First Nations Black Swans athletes Tully Bethune and Lily Cubby with Bremer State High School / Diamond Spirit Educate students Jackie Grist 17 and Jessie Fraser 17. Picture: Nigel Hallett

This weekend’s clash will be a telltale sign of where Jets – and Titans – sit ahead of the final round of the season next week.

Jets currently own top spot with 34 points, carrying just one loss and a draw while Titans follow closely on 28 points with three losses.

Stuart has looked long and hard at what it will take to shut down a Titans ambush.

“Josie Bingham is a definite key for their two-point shot,” she said.

“We have gotten better at working around that … our defenders have gotten smarter, I’ve gotten smarter.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to contain her.”

Stuart pointed to Titans’ zone defence as a focus this week - a number of teams having fallen victim to that strategy this season.

“That’s something they do really well and we’ll need to focus on combating (it),” she said.

“What will win it is defence, but I think it could come down to a bit of a shoot out.

“It will depend on how our defenders can shut down their two-point shot with Josie Bingham … and then it’s about them having to contain our Elsa (Sandholt).”

Originally published as Live stream: Jets face Titans, Bull Sharks play Tigers in annual Sapphire Series NAIDOC Round