Emotions ran high as the Giants farewelled legend with inspirational Super Netball win
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.'
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.
closing things out in style �
Watch every game live on Kayo Sports, Foxtel and Binge. pic.twitter.com/g6DVSIjXCT
— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) July 12, 2025
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.
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