The 200th Super Netball game was marred by the controversial departure of Giants player Kristiana Manu’a. The Sunshine Coast Lightning fought back by six goals and won 58-57.
The Giants had to play the final nine minutes of the game at the University of Sunshine Coast with just six players on Wednesday night after defender Manu’a was sent off for her second incident.
Goal defense was suspended for two minutes in the third quarter after a challenge against Lightning shooter Cara Koenen before being punished a second time for tough play, leaving the referees with no choice but to send her off.
Kayo is your ticket to the best sports streaming live & on demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming right away>
With no moves allowed, goalkeeper Sam Poolman had to defend two shooters in a circle, with lightning pulling back the buffer with six goals for a bittersweet win.
Giants captain Jo Harten had two chances to win the match with a super shot, but missed both opportunities.
It was Manu’a’s farewell that dominated the conversation after the game. Commentators thought it was “shameful” and said they only had eyes for the ball on both challenges.
“We’re here to have an opinion on things. I’ll give you one thing, it’s a shame for me, ”said Sue Gaudion, former West Coast Fever and Wales coach. “It shouldn’t have happened. I think Kristiana Manu’a’s intention was just the ball. It was the same moment before. “
Lightning captain Laura Langman also felt uncomfortable at the end of the game, saying it was “an unfortunate road to the end”.
“It was definitely interesting, I don’t think we wanted to end the game like that,” said Langman.
“At the time I had the feeling that the last nine minutes would probably be a really nice fight.
“We had to create something and we definitely didn’t want to end the game with six players.
“I thought we did pretty well, but we’ve definitely been released from prison.”
The Giants fought their way back into the match after lightning hit the blocks but were in control late in the match.
Harten, who started the game with a goal attack before a move to shooter and a playful combination with Kiera Austin from the second quarter, was furious in the closing stages but was careful not to openly criticize the referees after the game.
“It was a pretty tricky game. I don’t think I did anything like that professionally, but we gave it our all,” she said.
“I think it was just a confusing game, there could have been more clarity throughout.
“We sent a player off and that’s the be-all and end-all. If you don’t have your goal defense it will be difficult from that point on.
“We could have won this game twice, I missed the shot twice.”
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING 58 (Koenen 32, Wood 15, Proscovia 8, Hunt 3)
GIANTS NETBALL 57 (Harten 27, Austin 21, Bassett 9)
.
