Live stream: Bull Sharks v Thunder, Cougars v Wildcats, Sapphire Series, Pride Round

There is something about the Super Shot window that brings the Bull Sharks to life, but this time it was a case of too litle, too late. Watch the REPLAYS from Round 10 of the Sapphire Series.

There is something about the Sapphire Series Super Shot period that brings the Bull Sharks to life.

The Bond Uni side, trailing by 22 goals going into the final five minutes, exploded from two-point range with Mia Stower and Hannah Le Sage hitting eight-straight bombs.

But it proved just too little too late, with Charlie Bell and Kirra Tappenden nailing a two-pointer each to hold on for a 75-66 win in a thriller.

It is fun to watch when the Bull Sharks’ flamethrowers turn it on from range, and it will give the side plenty of confidence as they make a dramatic late push for a finals berth over the last four rounds of the season.

But it is the side’s ability to let the game slip through their fingers outside of those entertaining five minute periods, that will be cause for concern.

Annika Lee-Jones did her best to prove spoiler for the Bull Sharks, while the length of Thunder centre Maddie Hinchliffe’s arms proved instrumental for the Sunshine Coast side.

On multiple occasions the Thunder midcourter was life a thief in the night, reaching tall to pluck Bull Sharks’ passes out of mid-air and send her side on the counter.

Bell was brilliant up front for the Lightning, and finished with 54 goals for the game. While she struggled to get her two-point shot going in the second half, the goal shooter only missed one attempt from inside the small circle.

Brisbane South Wildcats v ACU Brisbane Cougars (Netball Queensland Sapphire Series Round 10)

Earlier on Wednesday night’s Pride Round celebrations, the Brisbane North Cougars made short work of rivals Brisbane South Wildcats to keep their finals dreams alive.

The fifth-placed Cougars trail the Bull Sharks by less than a win on the Sapphire Series ladder, but will need all the results they can muster with a bye coming over the final four rounds.

Nalani Makunde led the way for the Cougars in the shooting circle, with 45 goals including only the one from two-point range.

PREVIEW

Sunshine Coast Thunder have been dealt a cruel injury blow on the eve of their Pride Round clash with Bond University Bull Sharks on Wednesday night.

Midcourter Emma Walters joins a swelling casualty ward for the Sapphire Series side after she ruptured her MCL in a Super Netball Reserves clash for the Lightning.

Walters injury makes it three major outs for the Thunder, who were already dealing with long-term injuries to Lily McClure (fractured back) and Brianna Martyn (ruptured ACL).

Thunder coach Simone Nalatu said the side would need to look to their depth to fill the void for their clash with the Bull Sharks.

The match will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV and the Courier Mail as part of a Pride Round double header which will kick off with a battle of the cats between Brisbane South Wildcats and the Brisbane Cougars.

Check out the full Round 10 live stream schedule below.

“(Emma) is a big loss for us,” Nalatu said.

“There’s a whole lot of considerations that need to be made first.

Emma Walters, Sunshine Coast Thunder

“While we’re back in Sapphire land for a week, we’ll have a think about it.

“We’ve been operating with our Ruby and Sapphire squad as one group, with girls moving up and others called into the Lightning.

“We’ll definitely have coverage, but no decision as of yet.”

Thunder’s clash with Bond will be crucial on both ends, their last meeting coming down to the wire after Bond fought back from a 20-point deficit to almost edge out a win.

Nalatu admitted it came down to the all-important two-point shot.

“They beat us in the Super Shot that game,” she said.

“We’ve obviously gotten better in how we can defend that and try to nullify that but at the same time we have to beat them in the one-point game before it hits the last five minutes.

“That’s been our focus this whole season, but against Bond we’re going to have to think strategy.

“They’re the team that has punished us in that time.

“Our defensive game is going to have to be key.”

Nalatu indicated all eyes would be on the Bull Sharks front court of Mia Stower and Kaylin van Gruenen, who have proven a handful for defences all season.

The Sunshine Coast side is in third place on the Sapphire Series ladder and will be determined to shore up their spot in finals contention.

After spending time as a group playing in the mid-season Super Netball Reserves competition, Nalatu said this week provided a chance for them to put that work into action.

Sunshine Coast Thunder centre Annie Miller.

“We’ve been playing together as a group in the reserves, I think our connections are forming really well,” she said.

“It’ll be great for us to come back and assert ourselves at Sapphire level and see some of those improvements.

“But the main thing is that we take it one game at a time, remember to put the right dress in the bag and remember what court we’re meant to be at.

“We’re very happy with where we’re at, but there’s a long way to go still.”

Pride Round lights up Nissan Arena

Nissan Arena will be decorated to show support for Pride Round with players, coaches, officials and fans getting involved in the action.

Accompanying a feature Netball Queensland logo redesign and feather decorations around the venue space, ‘Proud to Play’ decals have been laid on all seven shared community courts of Nissan Arena, with similar signage to feature in the upcoming First Nations round next month.

Clubs will don Pride bibs while umpires will sport ribbons and accessories in the Pride spirit.

“Netball Queensland has a strategic commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion highlighted by our recent achievement of Silver Tier status for our participation in the Pride In Sport Index at the Pride In Sport Awards earlier this year.

“(We have) prioritised LGBTQ+ training, inclusive policy development and increasing the visibility of LGBTQ days of significance, all to demonstrate active allyship and send a clear message there is a place for everyone in netball.

“This week’s Pride Round for the HART Sapphire Series is an extension of this work and we look forward to celebrating with our clubs this important and significant event,” a netball Queensland spokesman said.

The Ruby Series Pride Round took place on June 15

Originally published as Live stream: Bull Sharks v Thunder, Cougars v Wildcats, Sapphire Series, Pride Round