Live stream: Carina League Club Tigers face Gold Coast Titans in Ruby Series grand final (Sapphire Series)

After Sparks took an impressive M-League decider, the Tigers etched their name into Ruby Series history with victory over the Titans. Check out the REPLAYS of both matches.

The Carina Leagues Club Tigers have gone down in Ruby Series history as the first side to claim three-peat titles, defeating the Gold Coast Titans 72-62 in a to-and-fro grand final affair.

Meanwhile, Sparks have beaten Ignite to take an exciting M-League decider.

Tigers head coach Joeanne Hope said was proud of the girls for executing what has been done the whole season, having remained undefeated since round 1.

“My adrenaline is peaking right now,” she said.

“I’m obviously super excited and just can’t believe it’s over.”

Catch the Ruby Series REPLAY above and the M-League below.

Sparks v Ignite (Men)—Netball Queensland M-League Grand Final

Hope pointed to circle defender Edie Lenarduzzi as her standout.

“Edie had the best game she’s played this year against Titans, she worked really hard.”

Tigers struck early with two converted turnovers in the opening minutes from pressure in Titans’ shooting third.

A break from wing attack Alissa Carey on a crucial centre pass handed the Tigers their third, extending the lead to six goals.

RELIVE THE SAPPHIRE SERIES GRAND FINAL ACTION RIGHT HERE

With the five minute Power Play activated, goal shooter Hayley Matthew and goal attack Brooke Marchant each sank a two-pointer before tight defense from Maddy Rhind caused a much-needed intercept.

Possession was converted and Titans took their first lead with just over three minutes to play, but Tigers retaliated with their own and took back control.

The close contest held over into the second quarter, Tigers continuing to slow Titans’ offensive transition while the coastal side’s zone defense made it equally difficult down court.

Both sides took advantage of the Super Shot, Tigers’ Amber Yeates taking most of the shooting duties while Emily Gage worked on creating space.

Momentum shifted suddenly with two minutes remaining, unforced errors on the centre pass affording Titans a surge which resulted in a 33-36 lead at half time.

It was unfamiliar territory for the Tigers bench who had not been a chasing position against Titans all season.

“It was about going back to our team belief system,” Joeanne Hope said on making a comeback.

“Make sure that we’re trusting ourselves, get around each other when things are tough and just go for every ball.”

A series of uncharacteristic missed shots from Matthew offered Tigers some relief as they fought to within a point, Yeates and Gage maintaining high percentages from range.

The Power Play kicked in as intensity grew, Matthew finding form to deliver the first blow.

Four Super Shots from Yeates gifted Tigers their first lead of the half, the siren sounding 53-50.

The Orange and black continued in stellar for, opening the final quarter with an intercept and run of goals.

The pressure forced Titans to call a tactical timeout in the hopes of disrupting momentum.

Dellwyn Fiso turned gained a crucial turnover from under the post but Titans couldn’t convert.

In a last chance attempt head coach Erin Byrnes moved Murphy to GS and pushed Matthew to GA, Marchant taking the WA bib.

It wasn’t to be, Tigers able to hold out a final surge and claim their third straight premiership.

“(It’s) actually quite overwhelming but exciting,” Hope said.

“We worked really hard this week knowing that Titans were a tough team … I’m just really happy for the girls.

“It’s a bit bitter sweet because Emily (Gage) and Georgia (Bloxham) have retired today.

“They were here for that first team that I took four years ago, so it’s good to get this win.”

PREVIEW

The Carina League Club Tigers have dipped into their training partner pool for the 2024 Ruby Series grand final to cover for an injured Georgie Johnson - and her replacement couldn’t be any closer to home.

Johnson suffered a complete tear of her left ACL in the semifinal two weeks ago and was immediately ruled out of the big dance against Gold Coast Titans.

Tigers head coach Joeanne Hope said her replacement was a no-brainer: older sister Hannah.

Catch all the action from the big game LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV

“We’ve kept it in the family,” she said.

“We’ve used all our training partners for the season now, including Hannah, so we’re excited for her and she’s preparing well for it with us.”

While a grand final can be daunting on its own, Johnson’s late call-up duties will also mark her Ruby Series debut as the Tigers look to secure their fifth title in six seasons.

The only year the side haven’t walked away as premiers, 2021, they instead settled for runners up.

Hope is confident 2024 will resemble the familiar orange and black reign.

The Tigers have had another great season.

“We’ve got a really good, strong belief system and I think we’ve probably got one of the best teams in the competition in terms of mental toughness,” she said.

“That’s enabled us to stay on top for the whole season ... we just have to make sure that we not only maintain that, but go a little bit further, and ensure that we put out our best.”

It won’t be easy. The Titans are hungry for redemption after going down in last year’s decider 48-37.

“I guess we’re expecting a really strong Titans line up to to come at us and we want to be prepared for that,” Hope said.

“Based on our performance throughout the season, I would say that that we’re going to come out on top of them, and we’ve got every intention to do so.”

KommunityTV will also broadcast the M-League grand final on Sunday from 2pm.

The showdown features the clash between Sparks and Ignite.

Originally published as Live stream: Carina League Club Tigers face Gold Coast Titans in Ruby Series grand final (Sapphire Series)