Official Result: Firebirds Vs. Mystics

Official Result: Mission Queensland Firebirds (60) defeated SKYCITY Mystics (44)

Showing ominous form, the Mission Queensland Firebirds will host next week’s Grand Final after eliminating the SKYCITY Mystics 60-44 in Semi-Final 1 in Brisbane on Sunday.

Posting their 12th straight win this season and keeping their unbeaten run against the Mystics intact, the Firebirds will line up in their fourth Grand Final in four years after winning the title in 2011.

The home team knocked the wind out of the Mystics sails in a comprehensive first half, the visitors unable to muster any significant challenge against the powerful all-round capabilities of the Firebirds.

The Firebirds had their wobbly moments at times but showed their ability to respond to anything thrown at them by lifting the intensity and putting the squeeze on opponents.

The Mystics were always on the back foot and chasing the game, unable to reproduce the consistency on attack to compete on even terms. Taking the sting out of the game by three-quarter time, the Firebirds stormed home with a 17-goal final stanza, completing the outing in dominate mode after enjoying an overall 21 more shots at goal.

There were no surprises in the successful Firebirds starting seven of recent weeks, the home team lining up with a classy winning formula. The Mystics opted for Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick (goal defence) and Temalisi Fakahokotau (goal keeper) in a bid to shut down the potency of the Firebirds shooting end.

It did not take long for the home to assert their intent, a six-goal unanswered scoring streak pushing them out to a handy advantage within minutes and into a position of control.

Gretel Tippett and Romelda Aiken were seamless with their conversions under the Firebirds hoop, Fakahokotau’s lack of height but licence to hunt the ball not paying early dividends.

The Mystics were guilty of too many turnovers, their transition play under constant pressure from the Firebirds oppressive full court defence. Showing greater patience as the stanza wore on the Mystics did well to repair some of the damage when closing the gap to 14-10 at the first break.

The Mystics introduced Nadia Loveday (wing attack) for Millie Lees and Kayla Cullen (goal defence) for Tone-Fitzpatrick in the second term. Again, the Firebirds were quickly into their stride, powering into dominant mode and rattling the Mystics in all phases.

Much more effective with their through-court transition, prolific shooter Aiken and inspiring defender Laura Geitz, were key figures in the Firebirds relentless pressure, pace and all-round efficiency. In between wing defence Gabi Simpson and goal attack Tippett were outstanding contributors in helping the home team build a telling 30-20 lead at the main break.

Honours were shared in an even third stanza but the Mystics were unable to penetrate the staunch Firebirds resolve.

Defensively, the visitors’ won turnover opportunities but their troubles came on attack. The usually reliable shooting duo of Cathrine Latu and Maria Tutaia could not break the shackles of the ever-present Geitz and Clare McMeniman who kept a vice-like grip on containing the dangerous duo.

Simpson and Kim Ravaillion ensured the pressure outside the circle was just as intense leaving the Mystics no space and limited opportunities to get the ball cleanly goal-bound.

The Firebirds maintained their 10-goal buffer when taking a 43-33 lead into the last break.
Firebirds shooting statistics:
Romelda Aiken 42/48 (87%)
Gretel Tippett 18/27 (66%)

Mystics shooting statistics:
Cathrine Latu 17/18 (94%)
Maria Tutaia 24/33 (72%)
Paula Griffin 3/3 (100%)

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