The Canberra Giants are preparing to face a side with a point to prove, but they could be forgiven if their minds start to wander towards the prospect of winning a title on their home court.
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The Giants split their two-game series with the Tasmanian Magpies in front of a full house at the ACT Netball Centre in the Australian Netball League over the weekend.
Canberra claimed a comprehensive 52-41 win in the series opener on Friday night before the Magpies hit back to clinch a nail-biting 53-51 triumph on Saturday night.
The Giants now turn their attention to a date with the bottom-placed Territory Storm on the Sunshine Coast in the final round of the season which will ultimately determine the finals picture.
The semi-finals will be held at the ACT Netball Centre on June 30, while the grand final will be hosted at the AIS Arena on July 1 in what Giants star Keely Rodrigo dubs a massive boost to Canberra's title hopes.
“It was great to play in Canberra... we don’t get these crowds anywhere else in Australia," Rodrigo said.
"It’s a great opportunity to have family and friends on the sidelines to cheer us on”.
The Magpies are jostling for top spot with the Victorian Fury but the Tasmanian outfit - the state league affiliate of Super Netball's Collingwood Magpies - is guaranteed a top two finish regardless.
It leaves Canberra battling for third - and at worse, settling for fourth - and a showdown with some competition heavyweights has left Giants mid-court star Amy Parmenter brimming with excitement.
“It was good to have a game that was consistent and tough, with the lead changing throughout the game," Parmenter said.
"Hopefully the next two games we can learn from this game, and get some good wins going into the finals."
The Giants came out firing from the opening whistle to begin round six and kept their foot on the throat as they cruised to a comprehensive win over the title contenders on Friday.
The return bout was a different proposition but one that will steel Canberra's desire to secure a landmark ANL championship.
Both sides traded the lead before the Magpies nudged clear and held their nerve in the dying stages to secure a victory and keep their minor premiership hopes alive.
AT A GLANCE
Australian Netball League -
Friday: CANBERRA GIANTS 52 bt TASMANIAN MAGPIES 41
Saturday: TASMANIAN MAGPIES 53 bt CANBERRA GIANTS 51
AUSTRALIAN NETBALL LEAGUE ROUND SEVEN
Saturday, June 23: Canberra Giants v Territory Storm at USC Stadium, Sunshine Coast, 5.30pm.
Sunday, June 24: Canberra Giants v Territory Storm at USC Stadium, Sunshine Coast, 11am.
