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The Giants remain the team to beat in the Super Netball competition after downing Collingwood 59-51 at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena.
In the inaugural battle between the leagues’ two AFL-affiliated franchises on Saturday night, the Greater Western Sydney-backed Giants led at every break and finished strongly to extend their unbeaten start to three games.
Veteran goal shooter Jo Harten was dominant for the Giants, draining 43 of her 45 shots, while front-court partner Susan Pettitt added 16.
After an up-and-down start, the Giants opened up their lead with Harten making 13 shots in the second quarter to give her side a six-point advantage at halftime.
Their impressive pressure was on full display when Serena Guthrie launched herself onto a courtside photographers’ table while scrambling to intercept a pass early in the second term.
Collingwood reduced the deficit to three points early in the third term but it was as close as they got to reaching the Giants, with Guthrie and Kimberlee Green’s slick ball movement providing Harten and Pettitt with plenty of supply.
England Roses representative Harten renewed her rivalry with tenacious Magpies goalkeeper and Australian Diamonds star Sharni Layton but got the better of the contest.
Layton still found a way to influence the game, displaying her typical pitbull-like aggression and snaring six deflections and two intercepts.
Diamonds teammate Caitlin Thwaites top-scored for the Magpies, shooting 42 from 46, while captain Madi Robinson had a game-high 25 assists.
But Thwaites lacked support on the scoring end and the Magpies were made to pay for their poor ball use, recording 26 turnovers.