Giants have high hopes for success in new Super Netball league
DIAMONDS shooter Susan Pettitt admits the Giants will be disappointed if they do not finish top two in the new Super Netball competition.
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DIAMONDS shooter Susan Pettitt admits the Giants will be disappointed if they do not finish top two in the new Super Netball competition.
Three of Australia’s newest sporting teams — two connected to AFL clubs and one to an NRL side — are being touted as the teams to beat when the Australians based competition kicks off on February 18.
The Giants. the Collingwood Magpies and Sunshine Lightning, backed by Melbourne Storm, have emerged from the eight team pack as favourites for the inaugural Super Netball title.
But veteran shooter Pettitt says the Giants have lofty ambitions.
“It’s a clean slate and very exciting. Totally, the Giants are working to be a top two team,” said Pettitt, unable to be at Monday nights team launch after forcing her way back into the Australian team following a four year absence from Test netball.
“If we don’t make the finals we won’t have met our expectations.”
While the club is new, Pettitt and fellow veterans Kim Green and Bec Bulley have been reunited with their old Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald at the Giants.
This combination will form the core of a club working to establish its own identity and culture in its first year of life.
While Pettitt prepares for Diamonds matches against South Africa on Wednesday and then England in the UK on Sunday, the Giants hit the road on Friday for a series of pre-season games in Perth.
Fellow NSW side, the Swifts, head to Melbourne to play the Vixens this weekend.
Super Netball begins with a local derby between the Giants and Swifts on February 18.
SUPER NETBALL: Round One
February 18
GIANTS V SWIFTS
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney, 5pm
VIXENS V MAGPIES
Hisense Arena, Melbourne, 7pm
FIREBIRDS V LIGHTNING
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, 7.45pm
February 19
THUNDERBIRDS V FEVER
Priceline Stadium, Adelaide, 12.30pm.
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