Koenen stars as Lightning thrash struggling Giants
Koenen scored a career-high 56 goals from 62 attempts in Sunday's match to help lead her team to the comprehensive victory.
The Giants committed a whopping 25 turnovers - including 10 alone from goal attack Sophie Dwyer - as the Lightning made them pay.
It was 62-40 by three-quarter time before the Lightning eased up in the final quarter.
The result improved Sunshine Coast's record to 3-2, while the Giants are 1-4 and equal bottom of the ladder alongside the Melbourne Mavericks.
The tip and the back up 🔥Watch every game live on Kayo Sports, Foxtel and Binge. pic.twitter.com/aYkbyDJf2R— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) May 11, 2025
Sunday's result was all the more disappointing for the Giants given they had upset defending champions Adelaide 64-63 a week earlier.
"We had a disappointing loss last week in the West (against the Fever). I'm proud of what we put out on court today," Koenen told Fox Sports.
"It (the win) was all down to work rate. There were repeated efforts every time.
"Our defensive end has been doing an amazing job, so we (the attackers) are just looking to convert on our end."
After a relatively even first quarter, the Giants went to the first break only down by three goals.
The Lightning's lead stretched to nine by half-time, but it was the third quarter that really broke the Giants' spirit.
Buoyed by Koenen's hot hand, the Lightning won the quarter 23-10 to put the contest to bed.
Giants shooter Matisse Letherbarrow ended the match with six Super Shots to her name from eight attempts in an impressive display.
But the Giants' numerous turnovers meant no amount of hot shooting could save them.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Perth Now
Aussie sporting great goes public with ‘hardest secret to keep'
Australian Diamonds star Paige Hadley has announced she is expecting her first child after battling through pregnancy-related illness to lead the NSW Swifts to the Super Netball finals. The 32-year-old, co-captain of club and vice-captain of country, narrowly missed out on playing off for another title when the Swifts fell to eventual premiers Melbourne Vixens in a thrilling preliminary final last month. But Hadley still had reason to celebrate with partner Jordan. 'MUM & DAD… what?!? Still can't believe I'm growing a little human!' Hadley wrote on Thursday. 'Jord and I are beyond excited to be welcoming a new addition to our family in early 2026. 'This has definitely been the hardest secret to keep this season (especially that first trimester sickness), but I'm so grateful for all the love and support so far. 'It's already been such a wild ride, and we're so ready for this next chapter. 'While things will be a little different as I take a break from the netty court (my lower limbs are very grateful), I look forward to hopefully being back out there with the gals when the time is right. 'For now, I'll be the Swifts and Diamonds' No.1 fan girl.' Paige Hadley played out the Super Netball season while pregnant. Credit: AAP Teammates, friends and fans rallied around the couple, with fellow Swifts and Diamonds star — and recent first-time mum — Maddy Proud already looking forward to play dates. 'Best news ever. Lily can't wait to meet her new little bestie,' wrote Proud, who skipped the 2025 season and gave birth to her daughter in May. Hadley, a dual Super Netball premiership captain, dual World Cup winner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, missed games late in the season with leg injuries before returning for the finals. While she has put her sporting goals to one side to focus on the road ahead, the 2026 Commonwealth Games beginning in July have been earmarked for a comeback. 'Life is all about timing, and this is a really special moment for Jordan and I and we are very grateful for the love and kindness we've received since finding out,' Hadley said in a separate club statement. 'It has been a crazy couple of months but we are feeling extremely blessed and can't wait to grow our little family. 'I feel very fortunate to everyone, especially those within netball community who have been so supportive ahead of what's a really important and special time for my family and I. 'While it is definitely my aim to return to the court for both Swifts and the Diamonds, I am looking forward to some time away as Jordan and I begin our new journey together as parents. 'I still have some big goals I'd love to achieve at the Swifts and at international level, and will look to make these a reality when the time is right. But for now, it's time to focus on my family. I am so excited for the next chapter that lays ahead of me.' Swifts star Maddy Proud became a mother earlier this year, with her premiership co-captain Paige Hadley following suit in early 2026. Credit: Chris Hyde / Getty Images Swifts coach Briony Akle also celebrated the 'joyous news'. 'All of our playing group, coaching staff and wider club staff could not be happier for them,' she said. 'We will absolutely miss Paigey on the court but that feeling is quickly cancelled out by the joy we feel for her. 'This is a huge life milestone for Paige and I know she'll be wonderful at it. She is one of the greatest leaders in Australian sport and I know she'll bring that same energy as a mum. 'While Paige will have some very important time away to begin this new chapter, I know that down the line she still has big dreams she wants to fulfil in the Red Dress. 'She is arguably the greatest Swift of the modern era and, when the time is right, we'll do everything we can to help make them a reality.' Vixens champion Rudi Ellis has been called up to replace Hadley in the Diamonds' squad for three Tests against South Africa and the four-match Constellation Cup series against New Zealand in October.
7NEWS
13 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Australian Diamonds great Paige Hadley announces pregnancy weeks after finishing Super Netball season
Australian Diamonds star Paige Hadley has announced she is expecting her first child just weeks after playing through pregnancy-related illness in the NSW Swifts' Super Netball finals tilt. The 32-year-old, co-captain of club and vice-captain of country, narrowly missed out on playing off for another title when the Swifts fell to eventual premiers Melbourne Vixens in a thrilling preliminary final last month. But Hadley still had reason to celebrate with partner Jordan. 'MUM & DAD… what?!? Still can't believe I'm growing a little human! Jord and I are beyond excited to be welcoming a new addition to our family in early 2026,' Hadley wrote on Thursday. 'This has definitely been the hardest secret to keep this season (especially that first trimester sickness), but I'm so grateful for all the love and support so far. 'It's already been such a wild ride, and we're so ready for this next chapter. 'While things will be a little different as I take a break from the netty court (my lower limbs are very grateful), I look forward to hopefully being back out there with the gals when the time is right. 'For now, I'll be the Swifts and Diamonds No.1 fan girl.' Teammates, friends and fans rallied around the couple, with fellow Swifts and Diamonds star — and recent first-time mum — Maddy Proud already looking forward to play dates. 'Best news ever. Lily can't wait to meet her new little bestie,' wrote Proud, who skipped the 2025 season and gave birth to her daughter in May. Hadley, a dual Super Netball premiership captain, dual World Cup winner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, has not immediately declared she will be back for the 2026 season. 'Life is all about timing, and this is a really special moment for Jordan and I and we are very grateful for the love and kindness we've received since finding out,' she said in a separate club statement. 'It has been a crazy couple of months but we are feeling extremely blessed and can't wait to grow our little family. 'I feel very fortunate to everyone, especially those within netball community who have been so supportive ahead of what's a really important and special time for my family and I. 'While it is definitely my aim to return to the court for both Swifts and the Diamonds, I am looking forward to some time away as Jordan and I begin our new journey together as parents. 'I still have some big goals I'd love to achieve at the Swifts and at international level, and will look to make these a reality when the time is right. But for now, it's time to focus on my family. I am so excited for the next chapter that lays ahead of me.' Swifts coach Briony Akle also celebrated the 'joyous news'. 'All of our playing group, coaching staff and wider club staff could not be happier for them,' she said. 'We will absolutely miss Paigey on the court but that feeling is quickly cancelled out by the joy we feel for her. 'This is a huge life milestone for Paige and I know she'll be wonderful at it. She is one of the greatest leaders in Australian sport and I know she'll bring that same energy as a mum. 'While Paige will have some very important time away to begin this new chapter, I know that down the line she still has big dreams she wants to fulfil in the Red Dress. 'She is arguably the greatest Swift of the modern era and, when the time is right, we'll do everything we can to help make them a reality.'
West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Fears mounting that we have ‘seen the last of Jesse Hogan' for 2025 AFL season
Fears are mounting that GWS Giants spearhead Jesse Hogan's AFL season is over. The key forward hasn't played since injuring his foot against the Western Bulldogs in Round 21. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jesse Hogan 'potentially' out for the rest of the season. The reigning Coleman medallist went to the bench with eight minutes remaining in that loss and was clearly emotional. Three weeks on, the 30-year-old's year hangs in the balance, with one game left in the home and away season and at least one final. 'Have we seen the last of Jesse Hogan this year?' Kane Cornes asked on The Agenda Setters. 'Potentially,' Mitch Cleary said. 'He has a crucial meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) with the same surgeon that did his navicular surgery six years ago. 'He hasn't played since this game against (the Western Bulldogs) three or four weeks ago, he won't play this week against North Melbourne in the Giants' last home and away game of the season. 'Depending on how this meeting goes with that surgeon tomorrow, that will decide the rest of his season. 'The Giants are holding their breath.' The reigning Coleman medallist has been in career-best form since at least the start of last year, when he kicked 77 goals, including five in the Giants' semi-final loss to Brisbane. Hogan has 43 goals from 15 games this year, including bags of nine and six early on, and is the Giants' biggest focal point up forward. 'Hodgey, Daisy, Kane — can they win the flag without that man?' Cleary asked. All three replied at once: 'No.' In his absence on Saturday, youngster Harry Rowston booted four goals to sink Gold Coast. Rowston had just one goal in 15 games before the weekend. Hogan has a long history of injury troubles, including a devastating navicular injury that threatened to derail his career, but appeared to have overcome his persistent fitness issues at the Giants. He played every game last year and all but three games in 2023, but has been restricted to just 15 so far this season. Stream The Agenda Setters for free, live or on-demand, anytime at 7plus
