Giants Netball boosted their Super Netball finals push but the physicality and monster penalty count were the biggest talking points of their 63-57 win over cellar dwellers Queensland Firebirds.
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With two bonus points, the Sydney-based Giants took six points from the victory at AIS Arena in Canberra on Sunday as they clung to fourth spot with three rounds remaining.
The Firebirds are winless after 11 rounds but there was no lack of commitment as they won the first and last quarters to claim two bonus points.
Firebirds defender Kim Jenner set a 2019 record for most penalties conceded in a single game - 32 - as her team ran up a combined tally of 90 while trying the stem the Giants' flow.
The Giants gave up 59 penalties, including 20 to defender Kristiana Manu'a.
The scene was set for a tough encounter when Firebirds goal attack Gretel Tippett was left with blood gushing from a suspected broken nose after colliding with the elbow of Manu'a in the first quarter.
She left the court for treatment but returned to action at the start of the second quarter and helped her team to a 29-28 halftime lead.
Giants set up their win with a dominant - 21-12 - third quarter after coach Julie Fitzgerald put Kiera Austin on at wing attack in place of skipper Kim Green, who had a running battle with rival captain Gabi Simpson.
National captain Caitlin Bassett finished with 30 goals from 32 attempts for the Giants while match MVP Jo Harten added 33 from 39.
Veteran goalshooter Romelda Aiken made 30 of 36 attempts for the Firebirds while the battered Tippett stayed perfect with 23 from 23.
Australian Associated Press
