Emotions run high as Giants farewell netball legend in Super Netball win
Jo Harten celebrates victory in her farewell match. Picture:With her long term coach, Julie Fitzgerald, in tears on the sidelines before the match even started, the former English Rose played a pivotal role in the win, using her game smarts to outfox opponents in the 74 to 59 point Super Netball victory. Harten went on to finish the match with 33 points, including seven from range, with a buzzer beater as her last ever touch of the ball.
Speaking post match, Fitzgerald said, 'Watching her grow into the person she's become is probably more important to me than the netball.
'It's going to continue. She might take her bib off but she'll still have a big impact on netball in the world.'
Jo Harten with Julie Fitzgerald post-match. Picture:Giants started slowly without youngster Erin O'Brien, who'd been named at goal defence but was missing when the opening whistle blew. One of her side's most consistent performers, O'Brien appeared halfway through the first quarter with a heavily strapped shoulder, after tweaking it in their warmup. With her return, the Giants upped their tempo after a poor start, to bring the scores back to almost level at quarter time. O'Brien went on to have a huge influence on the game, picking off five gains, as she underscored her credentials for a possible Diamonds' callup.
With both sides ramping up their defensive pressure, while also making a range of attacking errors, there were multiple changes of possession in the second quarter. Centre Molly Jovic ran a marathon for the Mavericks as the ball pinged from end to end, finishing with 42 feeds and two valuable pickups.
With the game locked on level terms at half time, Giant Jamie-Lee Price told commentary that the game was 'messy'. She said, 'We're getting plenty of ball, but we're just not scoring off it.'
'It's so simple, just score goals. I feel like we should be ahead by way more, but we're just making errors.'
Despite most Mavericks playing for contracts, a blistering Giants second half saw them take the eventual win. Eight spaces still remain on the Melbourne based side's roster, and they could snaffle Jamie-Lee Price.
Commentator Kim Green potentially let the cat out of the bag, letting slip that she has played her last game for the Giants. While the co-captain has a year left to run on her contract, there's been plenty of speculation that she will be released to head south and join her AFL-playing partner in Melbourne.
HARTEN HANGS UP HER DRESS
Jo Harten retires as one of netball's greats, having played 202 National League games and 117 tests for England. Among those was the Roses' historic Commonwealth Games medal in 2018, where they upset Australia on home soil. Known for her leadership, court craft and accuracy under the post, Harten has coaching experience with the Roses already under her belt, as she views a possible career in that space.
MAVERICKS ON A MISSION
As the Super Netball season comes to a close, Mavericks will be on a mission to bolster their ranks. Currently, captain Amy Parmenter and defender Kim Brown are the only two players contracted for 2026, with even the future of coach Tracey Neville up in the air. If the injury plagued side is hoping to climb the ladder next year, they will need a mixture of better luck and stronger roster in several areas of the court. With teams unable to talk to players from other clubs until the season has ended, it could explain why they still have a number of contracts waiting to be filled.
THUNDERBIRDS THROUGH AFTER THRILLER
The equation was simple for the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning, win and play finals, lose and it's season over.
And it was the Adelaide Thunderbirds who set up their chance at Super Netball history, with a 59 to 55 point victory and the chance to contest for their third premiership.
With finals essentially starting a week early for the two sides in a do or die clash, it was MVP Matilda Garrett who led the way for the Thunderbirds, as they jumped to third on the ladder, with the chance to host the minor semi final pending results of the final game of the round.
With their season on the line, both teams did well to hold their nerve and play measured netball in the first quarter.
Thunderbirds defender Matilda Garrett pressures Lightning's Sophie Fretwell. Picture: Getty Images
It was just before half time that the Thunderbirds cracked the game open. In a defensive unit normally headlined by Latanya Wilson, it was some Garrett magic that turned the fates of the Thunderbirds. She reeled in two intercepts and a rebound in the second quarter that allowed her side to jump out to a seven point lead heading into the main break.
After her buzzer-beating two point shot to win the game last week, it seemed Fretwell's same accuracy to post failed to make the trip to Adelaide.
Missing all three of her attempts, it was left to Reilley Batcheldor and Cara Koenen to do the heavy lifting, scoring three and four shots respectively. But with the damage already done, it was too late for the Lightning.
With Courtney Bruce out for a second week in a row with a calf injury, Ash Ervin was tasked with quelling the impact of sharp shooter Romelda Aiken-George.
While they matched each other for height, the strength of Aiken-George reigned supreme as she finished top scorer with 43 from 54.
Romelda Aiken-George was key again for the Thunderbirds. Picture: Getty Images
Highlighting the importance of the game, Aiken-George barrelled into the crowd on multiple occasions, running at speeds rarely seen since her glory days.
Never in Super Netball history has a team won the premiership from third place, and only once has it been done from fourth, so the Thunderbirds face an uphill battle to be the first club to win three titles.
They will be sweating on the fitness of goal attack Lauren Frew, who left the court in the last quarter with either a cramp or calf injury.
Liz Watson holds possession for the Lightning under pressure from Thunderbirds' Sanmarie Visser. Picture: Getty Images
THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO
The thrilling win gives the Adelaide Thunderbirds the chance to defend their premiership, and strive for the elusive threepeat.
They are just the second team to have the chance at this impressive feat, with the Lightning falling short in 2018 after succumbing to the Swifts in the Grand Final.
With both NSW Swifts and Melbourne Vixens dropping form in the back half of the season, West Coast Fever are set to be their biggest hurdle on the way to a historic victory.
Ashleigh Ervin could have a decent shot at selection for the Diamonds. Picture: Getty Images
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
With the Australian Diamonds squad set to be announced next week, there are a few players on the fringe of the squad who will be hoping for reselection.
There is yet another injury cloud now looming over Courtney Bruce, who has missed the last two games and spent a significant portion of 2024 on the sidelines.
Enter Ash Ervin.
The 190cm goal keeper was named in the squad last year, but failed to get out on court.
With minimal experience other than Sarah Klau, this could be her chance to nab a spot ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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NRL Round 23: Live SuperCoach NRL trade talk and tips, latest team news
Another round and more injury carnage. A couple of weeks ago I recommended Hamole Olakau'atu as a buy - he promptly dislocated his shoulder. Last week I recommended Isaah Yeo as a buy - he also injured his shoulder - and while we're waiting on news it looks like he'll miss at least one week and possibly longer. So let's see who I can put the kiss of death on this week! The biggest issue facing SuperCoaches is 'who should replace Herbie Farnworth,' and I'll devote my word count to that topic. For all other questions be they be trade, line-up or captaincy related please hit me up via the comments section below. Farnworth, who was on track to score around 200 points against the Warriors last week before his hamstring popped, is out for 'four to six weeks' - but let's just call it the remainder of the season. The silver lining (such as it is) is that Farnworth is priced at $840K and so those selling can afford pretty much anyone they want. 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At number six, Brimson averaged 54.2PPG from nine games. At fullback Brimson is averaging 71.2PPG from nine games. The Titans are favourites to win the wooden spoon, but that has much more to do with their woeful defence (ranked 16th) than their mediocre attack (ranked 13th). And then there's the draw. The Titans play the Rabbitohs/Sharks/Warriors/Dolphins and Wests Tigers in their remaining games. Souths are a great matchup right now and the Wests Tigers leak plenty of points too. I feel Gagai is potentially the safer play, but could be talked into Brimson as an aggressive POD BUY. Bradman Best: Another Knight, big Bradman is due back this week from a knee injury. A base stat powerhouse, Best is currently in just 5.2% of teams and while I prefer Gagai if you were looking for a POD that has the potential to go large then Best could be your guy (provided he's back from injury of course!). UBER POD BUY. Matt Timoko: The tackle busting centre has bagged two tries in each of his past two games and scored triple figures in each. The Raiders have the most productive attack in the competition this year and have ridden that hot hand to the top of the table. Canberra do have a bye still to serve (Round 24) which is concerning and of their four remaining match-ups - Manly, Penrith, Tigers, Dolphins - three of those are top-eight defences. PASS. Ronaldo Mulitalo: After a bit of a drought, Mulitalo found his groove over the past fortnight with scores of 91 and 98. A word or warning - those scores came against the woeful Rabbitohs and Cowboys defences. Another word of warning - the Sharks are on the bye in round 25. the bye and the mixed draw has me looking elsewhere. PASS. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: Roger the dodger rarely goes really big and is yet to score 100+ this season, but his phenomenal workrate (he has scored 40+ in runs ALONE over the past four games) means he very rarely has a quiet game. 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