Live stream: TAE Aerospace Jets face Gold Coast Titans in Sapphire Series grand final

Five years after her first title, coach Paula Stuart is finally celebrating a second after her TAE Aerospace Jets closed off an impressive Sapphire Series season in style. Catch the REPLAY.

TAE Aerospace Jets stuck to their guns in the Sapphire Series grand final, defeating Gold Coast Titans 59-50 to close a stellar 2024 campaign.

It marks a momentous occasion for head coach Paula Stuart, who has waited since 2019 for her second Sapphire premiership.

“To go so close last year, and some of these girls were with me ...to come out and win it this year (is) absolutely amazing,” Stuart said.

“I take my hat off to everyone.

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“These girls were that determined ... bitter a bit from last year when their one per centres weren’t great and that’s what they wanted to work on this year.”

Titans were quick to make a statement in the first quarter, taking a surprising - but far from shocking - lead with eight minutes to play.

The shooting combination of Tia Crombie and Josie Bingham kept points ticking, compounded by a series of Super Shots taken at Bingham’s hands.

Lily Cubby found her own form in Jets’s circle to ensure the Ipswich side stayed within reach.

The quarter closed 16-15 in favour of Titans.

Two uncharacteristic missed shots from Crombie afforded the Jets a chance to take charge.

They capitalised without hesitation, converting both on top of their own centre passes.

Titans’ zone defence made transition a difficult feat, though Jets midcourt line-up of Steph O’Brien, Chloe Litherland and Nora Misa found a groove through the middle.

Ruby young gun Roxy Rhind was brought on as fresh legs for Crombie with seven minutes on the clock and with the Power Play period engaged, she made herself known.

Jets dug deep in the final minutes to regain a 29-26 advantage at halftime - that momentum seeping into the third quarter.

“What we wanted to do right from the start was to wear them down,” Stuart said.

“Mentally and physically fatigue them.
“Danielle Taylor and Lily Gribble were absolutely amazing.

“Josie Bingham is, I would say, the best in the league for Super Shots, and for her to be shut down like they did tonight ... that was a plan.”

Three consecutive turnovers in Titans’ attacking third proved costly as Sandholt, accompanied by goal attack Naomi Solomona, executed at the post.

Courtney Baird worked overtime to find the circle against Litherland, but back-to-back missed shots from Bingham halted their chances of an end of quarter comeback.

It all came down to the final 15 minutes, and Jets looked comfortable from the beginning.

Jess Milne and Shanae Grant kicked into another gear in the circle but it wasn’t enough to rattle the Sandholt-Solomona combo.

Turnover after turnover, the Jets pushed out their lead to the eventual nine goals.

PREVIEW

TAE Aerospace Jets coach Paula Stuart hopes the Sapphire Series grand final against Gold Coast Titans will mark the end of a frustrating five years.

Stuart took the Brisbane South Wildcats to a premiership in 2019, but has since missed the mark by inches - having lost the 2022 and 2023 grand finals by one point.

Is 2024 the year of Jets? After finishing top of the ladder, Stuart is confident it is.

“Basically we’re going to leave no stone unturned and give it our all,” Stuart said.

Jets boast a 3-0 record against the coastal side this year, winning their regular rounds 54-43 and 55-54 respectively before claiming a 51-48 semi final victory.

The Jets have been the team to beat all season.

Though the stats are in their favour, Stuart is taking no chances.

“We’ve been fine tuning, having a look and strategising (Titans’) game, having a look at where and how we can combat different players and different unit sets,” she said.

“It’s going to be a hard fought game, and it can be anybody’s.

“We’ve just got to make sure we get those one per centres right.

“If you fault in any part of the game, it could cost you so it’s going to be an exciting match.”

Unlike the 2023 grand final, Stuart can breath a sigh of relief that her side are at full strength for the clash.

Mackenzie Jordan will suit up in green once again, as she has for much of the season, while Ruby midcourter Emily Latter joins the roster as the activated 11th player.

“She has played up a bit as well as Mackenzie,” Stuart said.

“They’ve played more quarters then who we brought in ... the likes of Cat Latu and Charli Fiddler through the year.

“And they’ve trained with us more, so we’re going to be looking at them coming on through.”

The Titans survived a tough test against Thunder last weekend.

For Titans, the stakes are high for a different reason: it’s their first shot at Sapphire glory.

Not only is the tier 1 side in contention, their Ruby roster will play at 4pm for tier 2 honours against the Carina Leagues Club Tigers.

“What a great achievement for our club to have both teams into the grand final,” Sapphire head coach Temepara Bailey said.

“In just our third season as a franchise, to have both teams make it is a wonderful reward for what we’re trying to build at the Titans.

“These two teams now have a chance to create history, to become the first Titans to lift the Sapphire or Ruby Series trophy.

“I’m really proud of the effort right across the program, not just from our players but from our coaches and management.”