Lightning captain Geva Mentor ramps up rivalry with Firebirds

Sunshine Coast captain Geva Mentor couldn’t help but admit she was impressed with her own guerrilla marketing efforts this week.

Sunshine Coast Lightning captain Geva Mentor. Picture: Getty Images

Sunshine Coast captain Geva Mentor couldn’t help but admit she was impressed with her own guerrilla marketing efforts this week.

Usually one to play a straight bat, the English defender set the agenda by calling out the “disrespectful” Queensland Firebirds ahead of their Super Netball elimination semi-final tomorrow.

Earlier this week Mentor argued the Firebirds had undermined the Lightning’s presence in the league and footprint in the state, despite the fact Mentor’s side had won the title last year.

Firebirds captain Gabi Simpson rejected the claims but admitted the intra-state rivalry was now alive and well in the competition’s — and the Lightning’s — second year.

Reflecting on her own comments yesterday, Mentor admitted there may have been an ulterior motive at play.

“I normally sit on the fence, but something I’m quite passionate about is raising the profile of netball,” Mentor said.

“Our slogan is ‘Confident Girls’ and how great is it for there to be two teams in Queensland in finals. I think what I managed to say at the beginning of the week has really pumped up the sport.”

Trailblazing English international Mentor, now 33, moved to Australia as one of the code’s first imports in 2008 and is on the verge of a fourth national title.

“To think back 20-odd years ago, I would never have dreamed to be in the position I am today,” she said.

“But I have made the most of every opportunity that’s come my way, embraced the highs and lows and enjoying every moment.”

She added Commonwealth Games gold to her swag earlier this year, upsetting the much-hyped international return of Laura Geitz for the Diamonds.

Mentor can rain on Geitz’s parade at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in another chapter of a battle she has always enjoyed.

“She’s in stellar form and to come back so positively after having her first child … she is a role model for us,” she said.

AAP