Sport
17 June, 2025
Giants deliver payback by defeating Hawks
The Maryborough Giants enacted a small slice of revenge against the team that knocked them out in last season’s semi-final, taking control of the race for fourth with a 73-52 victory over the Talbot Hawks.
Following some impressive performances against Dunolly and Newstead in B grade, Abbey Devereaux was drafted into A grade for Maryborough alongside Emmerson Wood, while the Hawks brought in Jane Costello for Abbey Klemm.
After some tight, low-scoring affairs in their last two meetings, both sides went into offensive overdrive to start the match, combining for 35 goals by quarter time, with the Giants holding a three-goal lead.
Devereaux wasted no time acclimatising with fellow shooter Lacey Broad, helping Broad score 14 goals in the first period while netting five of her own.
Talbot duo Elenoa Costello and Eleisha Phelps were just as potent, netting 13 and three respectively.
While the Giants found ways to slow down Talbot’s scoring rate, they maintained their electrifying pace, building a 37-26 advantage at half-time.
With goal keeper Julie Anderson unavailable for this fixture, the versatile Ruby Saunder started to gel with Riahni Egan in the Giants’ defence during the second quarter, limiting Elenoa Costello and Phelps to 10 goals in the second term.
On the other end, Broad controlled the goal circle, adding 14 goals in the quarter while Devereaux continued to impress with four goals from four shots.
Looking to stem the tide to start the second half, the Hawks decided to change things up, reshuffling their midcourt and subbing in Jane Costello at goal defence to replace Melissa Scott.
The switches couldn’t stop the big, big sound that was the Giants’ offence, powering through Talbot’s defence with 23 goals in the third quarter to have a 19-goal lead at the final break.
Wood, Devereaux and Alisha Hovey did a wonderful job getting the ball to Broad in the third, allowing the teenager to net 18 goals while Devereaux chipped in with five.
Elenoa Costello gave it her all to keep the Hawks in the running, scoring 13 goals from 14 attempts while Phelps added two.
The Hawks produced their most competitive period in the fourth quarter after some three-quarter time switches, but it was too little too late as the Giants cruised home to a 21-goal win.
Broad finished with 56 goals for the match after scoring 10 goals in the fourth quarter and Devereaux completed an impressive return to A grade, adding three goals in the term.
With Elenoa Costello moved to goal keeper, Phelps took on the bulk of the scoring load in the fourth, converting eight shots while Jess White scored three in her short cameo in the attacking goal circle.