Sapphire Series R13 live stream: Brisbane South Wildcats eye upset win over finals-bound Gold Coast Titans

A flurry from Talitah Faifai in the second half has helped the Titans cruise past Brisbane South Wildcats while a teenage tearaway made a thrilling start to life in the Ruby Series. Watch the REPLAYS.

The Titans are in cruise control ahead of the Sapphire Series finals.

The Gold Coast side, which has cemented its spot in second place on the Netball Queensland ladder, made short work of the Wildcats on Friday night to keep their impressive late season run alive.

A late scoring rush helped the Titans stretch clear to a 58-49 victory.

The Wildcats, who have been a solid improver this season after a winless 2022 campaign, managed to remain in touch with their rivals throughout the four quarters.

The Brisbane South side fought back brilliantly in the final quarter to set up a thrilling finish, reducing the margin to as little at six goals in midway through the final term.

Tahlia Evans was one of the Wildcats best on court fresh off an impressive week at the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Championships.

Titans scorer Talitah Faifai was on a tear on the attacking end for the Gold Coast side finishing with 40 goals from 44 attempts. Young gun Lily Cubby finished with 17 goals in a strong second half showing.

Teenage excitement machine Roxanne Ryan made her debut for the Titans in the Ruby Series, scoring four goals in a blistering entrance to the game.

The 15-year-old rookie finished the game with 31 goals from 33 attempts as the Titans ran away with a comfortable 59-30 win in the reserve grade competition.

REPLAYS

Gold Coast Titans Netball v Brisbane South Wildcats (Sapphire)

Gold Coast Titans Netball v Brisbane South Wildcats (Ruby)

Preview: Wildcats chance to finish the season strong

Finals aren’t on the agenda this year but Wildcats can make a real Sapphire Series statement for 2024 if they can upset second-placed Gold Coast Titans on Friday night.

Just days after junior teams from their catchment area performed so well at the State Age Championships in Townsville, it's now time for their most senior players to back-up as role models.

And coach Megan Lynch is excited to see what her team can produce.

You can catch the big Ruby Series/Sapphire Series double header LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV on Friday night from 6pm. See the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.

WILDCATS WISH

The southeast Brisbane-based region cleaned up at the junior championships - and a senior level win would put the seal on a fantastic week.

Lynch also sees it as a chance to set the tone for next year.

“It’s about being a role model for the younger teams, but also setting the bar for how we start next season,” Lynch said.

“We want to finish really strong.”

Kayla Anderson. Pic: KWP Studios Flagstone.

After losing by just one goal to the Carina Leagues Club Tigers in round 11 and having a bye in round 12, the Wildcats are hopeful for an upset win and are simply focusing on their own strategy.

“We’ve had a good week to recover and go again,” she said.

“We always only worry about us because after the last three years it’s been a bit of a rebuild … it’s hard to know each week what everyone is going to do,” Lynch said.

To accommodate the different game time this week, the side have chosen not to train Friday morning.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

It has so far been a season of seesawing results, but Lynch has her mind set on the positives from 2023.

“For us, it’s been a much better season than the previous two,” she said.

“We’ve made huge gains this year, we’re getting closer, we’re scoring more points per quarter.

“We just want to finish the last two games really strong and set ourselves up for the pre-season and next year.”

“There are quite a few young ones still training up.”

Kydan Tuapou is set for a significant role this week. Pic: KWP Studios Flagstone

With loyalty in mind, the long-time Wildcats coach knows where her talent is coming from and where she wants to be in the coming years.

“I’m not looking at going anywhere, I love the region and I love the kids that we’ve got and we’ve worked really hard to build with a supportive board,” she said.

“There are better things to come even though this year has been the best in the past three.

“There’s lots of positive things happening and we’re working really hard to build relationships with the associations in our region.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

With Brittany Mould out pregnant and Georgia Feeney away on a pre-planned holiday, there are slight changes to the Wildcats line-up which could make a difference.

Kydan Tuapou has previously been brought to fill-up, but her role may become more significant this week if Wildcats opt to use a moving shooting circle.

Feeney's absence simply puts more pressure on the defensive end to play their best game yet.

All eyes will be on the young duo of Halle Geyer and Chloe Williams.

“I’m hoping Halle and Chloe can work out a good connection this week,” Lynch said.

The side are awaiting confirmation whether Firebirds defender Ash Unie will be cleared to play.

Gold Coast Titans star Josie Bingham.

PREVIOUSLY: Titans v Wildcats

The sides last faced off in round four at Nissan Arena, when the Titans were fresh off a victory over the Brisbane North Cougars and Wildcats over Sunshine Coast Thunder.

It was expected to be an all-Titans showcase, but Wildcats refused to let them get away.

The Titans eventually won 55-49.

Lynch played a moving circle for the full 60 minutes, which didn’t include tall holder Coco Smith.

The coaching panel is still considering what their attack will look like this week, but know Kayla Anderson will play a key part.

“It’s really important Kayla has a good game this week,” Lynch said.

“She really sets up that circle as goal attack.”

Originally published as Sapphire Series R13 live stream: Brisbane South Wildcats eye upset win over finals-bound Gold Coast Titans