Sapphire Series live stream: Thunder look to end Jets winning run; Cougars face off with Titans

The Ipswich Jets have secured the minor premiership as expected, but the ACU Brisbane Cougars have suffered a bitter ending to their season and with serious consequences. Watch both REPLAYS

The Ipswich Jets may have secured the minor premiership before their latest triumph, but were determined to finish the Sapphire Netball Series home-and-away roster with another success.

Sunshine Coast Thunder will be rueing missed opportunities after setting the pace in the second quarter before falling to the Jets’ superiority at two-point shooting in the second half.

But really, the longer the contest went, the more the Jets just blew their rivals off the court.

This was no more evident than Ipswich’s 20-goal blitz in the final quarter, to which the tiring Thunder had no answer.

It was a disappointing end to what had been an entertaining contest that looked destined to go down to the wire, especially after Thunder reduced a seven-goal deficit to just three at the last change.

But it was not to be as the Jets confirmed their favouritism for this year’s title with a 66-52 success.

With the finals beginning next week, fans won’t have long to wait to find out if that assumption is correct.

REPLAYS

ACU Brisbane Cougars v Gold Coast Titans

Watch the full replay in the window above.

TAE Ipswich Jets v Sunshine Coast Thunder

The equation was simple for the ACU Brisbane Cougars when they took on the Gold Coast Titans in the second match of the Round 14 double-header.

Win and you are in the semi-finals. But it wasn’t be, as the Titans recovered from a four-goal halftime deficit to deny the Cougars a place in this year’s final series.

The Bull Sharks had clinched the final spot in the top four only hours earlier.

The Cougars were down 18-9 before a two-point blitz late in the first quarter dragged within two goals at the first break.

They then asserted themselves even further in the second quarter to lead at halftime.

But everything suddenly changed after the main break as the Titans outscored their rivals 18-9 to take a five-goal lead to the last break.

The last quarter was much of the same, with the Titans breaking away for an impressive 64-50 victory.

PREVIEW

The pressure is on for Sunshine Coast Thunder to end the TAE Aerospace Jets’s five-game winning streak on Sunday before the semi-finals kick off next week.

Despite battling low numbers due to injuries, the Jets have not lost a game since May 26 (round 8) when they fell short to Thunder 56-41.

“We take confidence in the fact we’re the only team to have beaten the Jets this season, however we’re under no illusions,” Thunder head coach Simone Nalatu said.

“Just because we did it once doesn’t mean we’re guaranteed to do it again.

“We have to remember how hard it was in that game.”

The Thunder v Jets showdown is the first part of a big final round Sapphire Series double header LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV at 4pm.

Check the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.

A win would see the Sunny Coast side secure at least third spot on the ladder, with second also a possibility if the Gold Coast Titans go down to ACU Brisbane North Cougars.

Nalatu said it was ‘about doing all the little things right’ when they last faced the Jets.

“Our centre pass conversions were up in that game and our turnovers conversions, all those things tell us everyone is doing their job,” she said.

Sunshine Coast Thunder centre Annie Miller.

“So that’s our focus going in.”

The prospect of finishing in second place would mean Thunder would be rewarded with a break between their semi and grand final if they were to continue winning.

“When it gets to finals, the slate is wiped clean,” Nalatu said.

“The opportunity to have a rest week would be fantastic, but we’re prepared to play three games after this weekend.

“It’ll be one game at a time, whatever that looks like.”

Queensland representative stars Jada Delaney and Kirra Tappenden are yet to be released by Netball Australia upon returning from the Under-19 AIS camp in Canberra this week, though Nalatu is confident her roster will get he job done regardless.

“This week’s pressure it about competing with the top … match it up with the competition front runners,” she said.

“We want to be playing well at this end of the season.

“Everyone will need to be playing on their game because (Jets) do have stars across the court.

Sunshine Coast Lightning training partner Jada Delaney

“We’ve shown in that past that when we do that we can be successful.”

In recent weeks, Jets head coach Paula Stuart has called in reinforcements from across netball worlds including NSW State League player Charli Fiddler and ex-Silver Fern Cat Latu to help bolster her roster.

It’s no secret Stuart knows how to make a grand final, and Nalatu is wary of what secret weapon could take the court on Sunday.

“Nothing surprises me with Paula … that is part of the fun,” she said.

“The focus this week is about us.

“Whoever turns up in a green dress, we’ll still play with the same purpose and intent.”

Originally published as Sapphire Series live stream: Thunder look to end Jets winning run; Cougars face off with Titans