Sapphire Series, Ruby Series live stream: Titans and Cougars in last chance saloon for spot in deciders

Look out, Jets! The Cougars are back in yet another Sapphire Series decider and if their preliminary final win over the Titans is any indication, they are a major threat. Relive all the action.

The Cougars have stunned the Gold Coast Titans with a display of power and precision to reach yet another Sapphire Series grand final.

The back-to-back-to-back premiers will now face TAE Ipswich Jets in next Sunday’s big decider after their 67-49 victory.

Gold Coast, who had won both games in the preliminary rounds, were playing catch up once the Cougars kicked out to an early lead.

Olivia Dijkstra was outstanding in the second quarter as the Cougars hit 23 goals to take a commanding 40-26 advantage

The Titans closed to within nine points in the third quarter before a late Cougars surge pushed the margin back to 14 points.

The Cougars then dominated the final quarter 16-12 to put the seal on the performance and show they will pose a massive threat to the Jets.

Replay: Titans v Cougars (Ruby)

The Gold Coast Titans have surged into the Ruby Series netball decider against the Tigers next Sunday after an impressive 53-37 preliminary final win over the Cougars.

The Titans, who knocked out the Jets in the semifinal last weekend, enter the biggest game of the year on the back of three consecutive wins.

But the Tigers have had their measure so far, beating them twice, including a 53-31 hammering only four weeks ago.

The Titans jumped out to an early lead against the Cougars and were rarely troubled.

They led 29-18 at halftime and maintained a healthy advantage heading into the final term.

PREVIEW

Gold Coast Titans were handed a rude awakening last weekend.

They had entered the Sapphire Series semifinals on the back of four straight wins to seal second place.

But they were no match for the Jets, falling to their lowest score of the season by quite some distance.

The benefit of their high finish though is getting a second chance at grand final qualification.

And they can set up a rematch with the Jets in the biggest match of the season on July 30 if they can beat the resurgent Cougars in Sunday’s preliminary final.

Catch all the action LIVE on KommunityTV at 6pm.

Ironically, the same two teams play off in the Ruby Series decider after the Titans pulled off a massive semifinal upset win over the Jets.

You can watch that game LIVE from 4pm on Sunday on KommunityTV. Check the full LIVE STREAM details below.

This season has been an up-and-down one for the Cougars Sapphire side.

After not dropping a game since 2020, they found themselves vulnerable at times, finishing with a seven wins, five losses record.

The Titans have beaten them twice already, early in the season they won 63-58 before backing it up with a 49-45 success in early June.

Gold Coast also has the season advantage in the Ruby Series clash, inflicting two of the Cougars’ three defeats.

But it was a different story last weekend when they faced the Jets, who had beaten them in both preliminary round games - and goal attack Lily Cubby was thrilled with the win.

Lily Cubby is looking forward to the Titans’ big game.

“We were so ecstatic to get the win over them. I suppose finals is when it really matters and we got the win at the right time,” she said.

“Throughout the round games we weren't very good at finishing games, so that was a huge focus we had.

“I feel like as a team, and as a collective, we play better when we have that confidence, and I think that really showed.”

The young star was not alone in her reasoning.

“Despite the two losses that we had to Jets, our last game against them was really close and only a few silly errors towards the end of the game let them back in,” said goal keeper Shanae Grant.

“So I think there was just a lot of belief that we had what it takes and everyone felt really confident.”

Grant was coming off a half-game for the Titans Sapphire side. The experienced circle defender is no stranger to Sapphire stints, having filled in throughout the season when the side were hit with injury and illness.

“It’s really nice to obviously get a taste again at the Sapphire level, and be able to filter all those things when I come back down into the Ruby team,” Grant said.

Cubby said the win was all about ‘happy netball.’

“When we're not playing happy netball, that’s when it doesn’t go to plan,” she said.

“But all the girls were getting behind each other, celebrating the little wins and, I think, that’s what really got us through and over the line,” she said.

Cubby also played two rounds back-to-back for the Titans’ Sapphire side earlier in the season while Josie Bingham nursed a calf injury.

While the duties were a nice addition to her resume, Cubby said she’s glad to be back full time with her Ruby teammates ahead of the final leg of 2023.

“I did miss playing normal minutes in Ruby,” she said.

Shanae Grant won’t be underestimating the Cougars.

“But I was very grateful to get those runs in Sapphire … I do have the experience there from the last couple of years.”

Cubby knows all too well not to be complacent when it comes to finals.

“Hopefully we get the win, but like the weekend that just went, you never know,” she said.

“We just have to bring that same intensity because it was such an amazing game.

“We can’t underestimate Cougars at all.”

In round eight, the Titans had stretched their lead to an otherwise comfortable 12 goals before the Cougars kicked into gear for a second half push.

Knowing how versatile Cougars can be under pressure, Grant said consistency will once again be the key.

“We just have to play our game and hope the results land in our favour again.”