Newly-retired from the international arena, Laura Geitz has shown no signs of slowing down for the Queensland Firebirds in a 64-50 win over the Giants in a key Super Netball top-four clash
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Defender Geitz turned in a vintage effort as the Firebirds' pressure across the court limited the visiting Giants to 23 fewer shots at goal - 82-59 - as the hosts clawed closer to their Sydney-based rivals on the ladder.
The Firebirds held the second-placed Giants to just nine goals in the second quarter and only 10 in the third, forcing the visitors to make multiple changes in a bid to find a way through.
Up front Gretel Tippett claimed match MVP honours with 29 goals from 31 shots and seven assists for the hosts.
The Giants shuffled the decks in the second quarter with Susan Pettitt and Jo Harten swapping roles on the offensive end, while Serena Guthrie swapped to wing defence with Jamie-Lee Price moving to centre.
But the Firebirds defence locked them down and the home side took the second bonus point and a 30-22 halftime lead.
Harten scored the first three goals of the third quarter but it all went backwards from there and the Firebirds streaked out to a 40-28 lead - their biggest advantage of the match.
The changes kept coming for the Giants but the Firebirds onslaught continued - the home side taking a massive 48-32 lead into the final quarter - a margin too big to reel in.
Australian Associated Press
