HART Sapphire Series R14 live stream: Tigers need to take down Jets to keep finals hopes alive

The final four in the Sapphire Series has been decided - and the Tigers won’t be there. See how the Jets denied their last-minute bid. Watch the replays from the Sapphire Series double header.

The Sapphire Series finals will again be without the Tigers.

A 51-40 defeat to the ladder-leading Jets on Sunday ensured they missed the finals for the fifth season in a row.

They needed to beat the Jets - and then hope for a Titans win over the Thunder later in the evening - to continue their season, but fell at the first hurdle.

The Tigers only trailed 26-22 at halftime and stayed in the contest until halfway through the third quarter. The Jets led 40-29 at the final change and the teams couldn’t be split in an even final quarter.

The Tigers managed to exact a level of revenge in the Ruby Series clash between the two sides running out emphatic 63-44 victors.

REPLAYS

TAE Aerospace Jets v Carina Leagues Club Tigers (Sapphire)

TAE Aerospace Jets v Carina Leagues Club Tigers (Ruby)]

PREVIEW

It’s been four years since the Tigers played in the Sapphire Series finals series.

They are staring at a fifth if results don’t go their way in what is shaping up as a thrilling final round of action on Saturday.

For the fifth-placed Tigers to even stay alive in the race, they must beat top-of-the-table TAE Aerospace Jets. That’s no easy feat. They have lost only twice in 2023.

Then they need a favour or two.

Catch the Tigers v Jets showdown LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV as part of a Ruby Series/Sapphire Series double header on Sunday from 3pm. See the full LIVE schedule below.

That favour has to come from Gold Coast Titans.

Sunshine Coast Thunder, courtesy of a massive upset win over the Jets last week, are in the box seat for the last finals.

With the upper hand in percentages, they can afford to lose (as long as it isn’t prohibitive) and qualify. Gold Coast won their only other encounter this year by seven goals.

The Tigers have failed to finish top four since the HART Sapphire Series’ inaugural year in 2019, making this week’s game all the more important for HSS history books.

Entering round 13, the Tigers had a hold on fourth, but Thunder’s upset win over Jets - and the Tigers’ loss to the Cougars - prompted a ladder shuffle that no one saw coming.

The Tigers have to beat the Jets to retain their finals shot.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

It was round six, a time when the Jets were undefeated and the Tigers were blowing hot and cold.

With captain and former Queensland Firebird Amy Somerville out after knee surgery, former Sunshine Coast Lightning training partner Annie Lawrie was called in to be the Tigers’ star goal attack.

The game went nothing like expected. The Jets gave away an early lead and struggled to fight back.

Tigers ultimately reigned 55-53, ending their opponents winning streak and cementing themselves as a team not to be taken lightly.

Tigers star Amy Sommerville.

IN OTHER GAMES

The Gold Coast Titans are locked and loaded for the finals.

Nine wins and two defeats has put them in a prime position for a title run.

But the work is far from over, as they still need to overpower the Sunshine Coast Thunder.

“You always go out to play your best game and win,” Titans Sapphire head coach Temepara Bailey said.

“They want to finish the season well … so I hope they do.”

In their last encounter, it was the Titans who reigned 57-50, while the Ruby Series side ran away to win 49-30.

At the time, Titans had former Silver Fern icon Cat Tuivaiti in their ranks and young gun Talitah Faifai was still finding her feet.

On top of Tuivaiti’s pre-empted departure in late May, star goal attack Josie Bingham is out with a calf injury and is unlikely to play this week.

“We’re just managing it at the moment,” Bailey said.

“We’ll wait and see how she is on Thursday before we make a call.”

Lily Cubby has done an excellent job filling in.

Her shoes are being filled by Ruby player Lily Cubby, who has so far proven herself a valuable asset to the side.

Cubby, who has a long resume of HART Sapphire experience, will need to bring her best game for the coming games, including this week’s clash.

Thunder will be eyeing another top scalp - Titans sit second on the ladder on goal percentage - after their heroics last week.

Meanwhile, the Bond University Bull Sharks and Brisbane South Wildcats will look to end their 2023 seasons on a high.

The last time these sides met it was Bond who claimed victory, their first of the season.

With 2024 pre-season already looming on their minds, both teams will look to claim one final win in round 14.

Originally published as HART Sapphire Series R14 live stream: Tigers need to take down Jets to keep finals hopes alive