REPLAYS: Jets face Titans, Thunder play Bull Sharks in week one of Sapphire Series finals

A fast start from the Jets proved too much for the Titans to handle, gifting them the first spot in the Sapphire Series grand final. See the REPLAYS of both Sapphire Series semi finals.

A fast start from the TAE Aerospace Jets has earned the Ipswich side a ticket to the 2024 HART Sapphire Series grand final for a third consecutive year, defeating the Gold Coast Titans 51-48 in a nailbiting semi final.

“I’m just glad we got the win,” coach Paula Stuart said.

Sharp shooting from Elsa Sandholt, Naomi Solomona and Lily Cubby secured a seven point advantage at quarter time, while Titans’ Tia Crombie and Josie Bingham were forced to work overtime finding space under the post.

Their surge continued through to halftime while an invested crowd became vocal.

Titans fended off another run from the Jets, letting in four quick points before picking up pace and closing the gap to single digits.

The third quarter antics finished in a panic on the Jets bench as they watched their once 15-goal advantage dissipate to six.

“We just went back to basics,” Stuart said.

“(I’m) not too sure why we were panicking, and we just needed to settle things down.

“They held their nerve in the end which was good.”

In true finals spirit, the final quarter provided 15 minutes of intense netball.

It was a to-and-fro affair for 10 minutes before the Super Shot period incited havoc for both defensive ends.

Titans Ruby star Roxy Rhind - who was called in to the squad as the 11th player - held her own under the pressure of Firebirds Futures goal keeper Lily Gribble.

Lily Cubby was subbed on for Jets in goal attack but saw little of the ball.

Despite a resurgence to come within three goals the Gold Coast side couldn’t hold on long enough, the siren sounding in Jets favour.

“We had a really good crowd both sides and there was a lot of passion out there,” Stuart said.

“I will be having a look at our third quarter to see what happened.

“It was a great effort too from Titans.”

Titans will instead face the Sunshine Coast Thunder in next week’s preliminary final to secure their grand final position.

Sunshine Coast Thunder vs Bond University Bull Sharks - Sapphire Series Elimination Final

A dominant final quarter has propelled the Sunshine Coast Thunder into the preliminary finals of the Sapphire Series.

After letting a six-goal lead at the end of the first term slip, they held the advantage by just one heading into the final term.

That’s when they lifted to another level, piling on 24 goals to run out dominant 84-69 victors to give them a chance next week to advance to the grand final.

PREVIEW

TAE Aerospace Jets coach Paula Stewart is eyeing off her second Sapphire Series premiership.

It’s been a patient wait since her first in 2019 with the Brisbane South Wildcats (formally QUT Wildcats), which was followed by runner-ups honours in 2021 (QUT Netball), 2022 and 2023 (Jets).

CATCH ALL THE RUBY LEAGUE WEEK ONE FINALS ACTION HERE

The 2024 season has been filled with the usual culprits of injury, illness and even pregnancy - Brooke Hams unavailable since June - though it may finally pay off.

Catch the first week of the Sapphire Series finals LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from 4pm.

Check out the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.

Jets are set to take on an electric Gold Coast Titans in their major semi final on Sunday, with the winner earning a ticket straight to the grand final on August 4.

“You work so hard for so long and this is what it comes down to ... what you work for,” Stuart said.

Stuart is confident that with the right team mentality her side will secure their spot in the big dance, though she’s wary of the competition being closer than previous years.

“I would actually say the top four are very equal,” she said.

“This is anyone’s game ... and not one team is more dominant than the other.”

Jada Delaney will be an important player for the Thunder on Sunday.

This year’s top four features the Jets, Titans, Sunshine Coast Thunder and Bond University Bull Sharks - making it the first season since 2015 that the ACU Brisbane North Cougars do not appear in a State League grand final.

Thunder v Bond (3v4 Minor Semi)

As the only club to have beaten Jets this season, Thunder carry high hopes of winning their minor semi final against an eager Bull Sharks roster.

The Sunny Coast side came out on top of both regular season clashes, 78-72 and 75-66, though it’s hard to forget the Bull Sharks’ 66-66 draw with the Jets in round 6.

Head-to-head aside, the stakes are high in both camps, with neither side featuring in a Sapphire Series or State League grand final this century.

With both squads boasting a fit and healthy lineup, it’s bound to come down to who handles finals pressure the best.