Giants suffer only second loss of Super Netball season to fired-up Magpies

FOR a minute Giants and Magpies players stood united after a week of political turmoil. Moments later, a fresh rivalry exploded in one of the most memorable upsets of Super Netball.

Players come together in support of Kathryn Harby-Williams before the Giants v Magpies clash. Picture: Brett Costello

FOR a minute Giants and Magpies players stood united after a week of political turmoil. Moments later, one of sport’s newest rivalries exploded in one of the most memorable - and physical - upsets of Super Netball.

After beating the Magpies 59-51 in round three, the Giants were toppled by the Collingwood-backed side 59-56 in Sydney, paying the price for a flat third period with only their second defeat of the new competition and the loss of the Super Netball lead

The Giants and Magpies played out a top-of-the-table clash in Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello

The Magpies, with a record of four wins and the same amount of losses going into the game, on Sunday played like the team they were touted to be at the start of season but whose combinations have taken roughly nine weeks to find their way.

“If we had to have another loss before the end of the season then this isn’t necessarily a bad one,” said Giants captain Jo Harten, who ended the game with 30 goals from 34 attempts.

“I think we held our heads high in that one.

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“But it was a game we could, and should, have won.”

In a show of solidarity which mirrored what others teams did prior to games this weekend, the Giants and Magpies joined together for a group hug pre-start.

The Magpies inflicted the Giants their second loss of the season. Picture: Brett Costello

It was in reaction to their ill-fated attempt to have former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams, who players see as a crucial independent voice, re-elected onto the Netball Australia board last week.

It was also a far cry from threats of industrial action made by the Players Association in the lead-up to the boardroom stoush on Friday.

Once on the court it was clear neither side had been adversely affected by the political battle waged off it.

Magpies midcourter Madi Robinson was named MVP and her Diamonds and Magpies teammate Caitlin Thwaites topscored with 48 goals from 51 attempts in the round nine match.

“In my opinion she is the best shooter in the competition right now,” Harten praised.

Jo Harten of the Giants shoots as Sharni Layton of the Magpies looks on. Picture: Brett Costello

The Giants paid the price for a slow start, trailing the Magpies by as much as five in the first period, before leaving the court for the first time down 15-13.

Early in the second quarter, the Giants had clawed their way back to be on equal terms with their Melbourne rivals, but still trailed 29-31 at the halftime break.

Diamonds shooter Thwaites starred in the first half, netting 27 from 28 in the first 30 minutes for the Magpies.

A flat patch in the third saw the Giants fall behind by seven goals before heading into the final quarter trailing 47-41.

While the Giants were able to reduce the margin to two, they could not completely overhaul their seven-goal deficit.

Magpies 59 defeated the Giants 56

Giants shooting statistics

Jo Harten 30/34 (88%)

Susan Pettitt 26/29 (90%)

Magpies shooting statistics

Caitlin Thwaites 48/51 (94%)

Cody Lange 8/11 (73%)

Alice Teague-Neeld 2/3 (67%)

Shae Brown 1/2 (50%)