Live stream: Catch both Wildcats v Tigers and Thunder v Cougars in big Sapphire Series R2 weekend

Sunshine Coast have made it back-to-back wins, while Brisbane South also have delivered in round two of the Sapphire netball series. Check out the full REPLAYS.

Sunshine Coast have continued their impressive start to the Queensland Sapphire Series by downing the ACU Brisbane Cougars by seven goals.

With high expectations this season, the Thunder always had the measure of their opponents, and, at one stage, enjoyed a game-high 13-point lead.

The Cougars launched a spirited comeback late in the third quarter.

And when they scored right on the buzzer the margin was just six goals (44-38) at the last change.

But the Thunder came out in the final quarter fully focused on the task at hand and shut down the charge by their rivals.

In the end, the Thunder maintained the status quo to run out 56-49 winners and remain unbeaten.

The Cougars, however, slipped to 0-2 in a disappointing beginning to the new year.

So impressive last weekend for little reward, the Brisbane South Wildcats didn’t have to wait long to post their first win of the season.

Beaten by three goals by the Titans in round one after trailing by as much as 12 goals at one stage, the Wildcats showed their finals credentials with a 64-53 victory over the Carina League Club Tigers in the first game of a double header.

After going down to the Sunshine Coast Thunder last weekend, the Tigers have now lost both games to start the season and will be looking to bounce back in a rematch against the Thunder next weekend.

REPLAYS

Sunshine Coast Thunder v ACU Brisbane Cougars

Watch the full replay in the window above.

Carina Tigers v Brisbane South Wildcats

PREVIEW

What a cracking double header we have in store for round two of the Sapphire Series on Saturday!

First up at 4pm it’s the Brisbane South Wildcats v Carina Leagues Club Tigers showdown, then Sunshine Coast Thunder and Brisbane North Cougars take centre stage at 6pm.

And you can catch every moment of the action LIVE with KommunityTV.

Check the LIVE STREAM details below.

Fuelled by close losses in round 1 and a determination not to fall off the pace so early in the season, the first game is certainly intriguing.

Wildcats came within a claw of the Gold Coast Titans last week, going down 61-58 after trailing by 12 midway through the final quarter.

Head coach Megan Lynch walked away from the contest happy with her side’s efforts, especially considering they finished sixth on the ladder in 2023 compared to the Titans who finished second (regular season).

The Wildcats came close to a round one upset.

“We are really happy with our start and want to step it up another level this week,” she said.

Bolstered by Firebirds’ 11th player Ali Miller, the Wildcats have an opportunity to capitalise on the newly introduced two-point shot by using their long-range shooting specialists.

Miller and fellow goal attack Kydan Tuapou boast an exceptional mid to long range shot under pressure, which proved a key in their late round one surge.

“We’re working hard this week to improve our turnover conversions and gain knowledge around how to get the best out of the two-point shot,” Lynch said.

But the Firebirds recruit has proven more than just a handy shooter, fiting into the Wildcats way quickly is pre-season.

“We love having Ali (Miller) in our team, she is a culture first athlete, which fits perfectly with out franchise,” Lynch said.

The Tigers, meanwhile, suffered a 57-49 defeat at the hands of Thunder, who lost star midcourter Brianna Martyn to injury in the process.

It will be interesting to see who the Wildcats hand the GD bib to, with Tigers star shooter Annabelle Miller likely to wear the GA position ahead of Maddie Grant.

Through the midcourt, meanwhile, the highly anticipated match-up of Maddie Davies (Wildcats) and Maddi Ridley will be compelling.

The Cougars fell to the Jets by one goalt in round one.

The Thunder v Cougars encounter from 6pm promises to be just as exciting.

Thunder boast the advantage on the ladder, having secured a victory over the Tigers in round 1.

However, the reigning premier Cougars are eager to strike back following a single-point loss to TAE Aerospace Jets.

Queensland U19 representative Jada Delaney (Thunder) will have her work cut out against a physically imposing Nalani Makunde (Cougars) in the circle.

The teen was named in the 2023/24 AIS squad earlier this week and is a Sunshine Coast Lightning SSN training partner, but Makunde’s experience and height advantage may pose a threat.

Thunder’s midcourt needs to find a way to shutdown the Cougars centre court roster of Losa Nuimata, Jemma Seymour (nee Mimi), Jayden Molo and Ellie Brice.

Originally published as Live stream: Catch both Wildcats v Tigers and Thunder v Cougars in big Sapphire Series R2 weekend