By GIANTS Netball superfan Deneka Naylor

Wow – an all New South Wales grand final and MY team is playing!

I could not be prouder of GIANTS Netball for making the grand final after a very disruptive season.

We’ve all going along for the ride throughout 2021 and the bumps in the road seemed to appear as early as round 1!

We lost first-choice goal-attack Keira Austin – DIAMONDS GOAL ATTACK – to an ACL injury in the first round of the season.

All of our hearts collectively broke in that one moment for her and the whole entire team – it was meant to be her year alongside captain Jo Harten in the circle.

While this grand final is still bittersweet in some ways, I have been left so inspired by Keira.

After the video last week of her running – followed by every GIANTS player – knowing she’ll miss the grand final does hurt.

But what a chance for Sophie Dwyer and what an impressive start to her career.

From school to training partner to squad member to full-time goal attack all in the space of 18 months.

What a story.

Even off the court, the GIANTS have dealt with a lot. Changing hubs, bubbles and, of course, the Sydney then NSW lockdown.

As someone in the midst of that, having Super Netball and the GIANTS is incredible.

This is what has kept me and my young group of netball players connected during a tough lockdown time.

They’re just young who love netball. We may not be able to be at matches right now, but we are with them every step of the way.

Thank you, GIANTS Netball, and let’s go get them!