Firebird Gabi Simpson confident she can overcome injury

Firebirds captain Gabi Simpson is confident of passing a fitness test the “tipping point” of the team’s season.

Firebirds skipper Gabi Simpson. Picture: AAP

Firebirds captain Gabi Simpson is confident of passing a fitness test and being front and centre for the “tipping point” of Queensland’s Suncorp Super Netball season.

The winless Firebirds are second-last on the ladder after three rounds ahead of their clash with the GWS Giants at the Queensland State Netball Centre tomorrow.

Simpson missed the loss to the Sunshine Coast last Sunday with a groin injury and needs to get through training today to get the all-clear.

The Firebirds will already be without defender Kim Jenner (broken finger).

The Australian Diamonds vice-captain said she would have played last week had the match been a final and rates herself an “eight out of 10” chance of lining up in the must-win affair. “I’ve already ticked off a lot of boxes and I’ve got the one last training session to tick off so I’m certainly hopeful of playing,’’ Simpson said.

Simpson said while the Firebirds squad of 2019 had shown signs of growth and improvement, it was time to deliver.

“We’ve talked about the need to really pick up the pace. Last week was a bit of a bump in the road but this group is capable of so much more,” Simpson said.

“It’s time to start collecting some wins.

“It’s quite fitting that we are playing the Giants at this tipping point in our season. They were the team that we were able to take a real step up against in the pre-season.

“They’ll be closer to full strength and their dynamics will change quite a bit but we still have the confidence that we can go to another level against them.’’

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