Netball
Murray Wenzel 6y

Firebirds in control of Super Netball fate

Netball

The Queensland Firebirds are prepared for an emotion-charged last round assignment as they aim to consolidate a Super Netball finals berth.

Rosalee Jenke's side host the Collingwood Magpies on Saturday afternoon in what will be retiring former Diamonds captain Sharni Layton's final game.

The Magpies are seventh and well out of finals contention.

Queensland, who missed the inaugural Super Netball finals last season, sit fourth with a five-point gap on the Melbourne Vixens.

But with eight points - four for a win and an extra incentive point for every quarter won - up for grabs, a dominant Vixens win and Firebirds flop could see them drop to fifth.

The Firebirds are also just one point off third-placed Sunshine Coast Lightning and goal attack Gretel Tippett is comfortable with the scenario.

"They've a lot to play for," Tippett said in regards to Layton's swansong.

"But we had a little meeting before (playing in) Perth and said if we can't win these last three games we don't deserve to be in finals.

"And it's kind of come down to that, so we just really need to nail this weekend's game."

The Firebirds have won three national titles and lost two other grand finals since 2011.

Tippett said a longer preseason and the return of another former Diamonds captain in Laura Geitz helped return that winning mentality after they were a step off the pace last season.

"(Geitz) provides so much calmness and confidence in the group," she said.

"I get inspired by every turnover she does and every time she gets that intercept we make a huge effort to make it pay on the scoreboard and get those points for her."

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