THE Sunshine Coast Lightning were far too good against the Giants in the inaugural Super Netball grand final on Saturday night.
The Lightning finished well deserved winners with a 63-48 scoreline reflecting the intensity with which the team attacked the Giants’ defence.
The Giants were blown away by a relentless Lightning in the second and third quarters.
The Lightning outscored the Giants 19 goals to 12 in the second quarter and then 16 to 11 in the third.
The Lightning received a week off before the grand final, but Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald said that was not the reason why the Giants went down.
"I don't think that was the case at all tonight," she said.
"We prepared really well for this game all week so we cannot use that as an excuse, I thought the Lightning just played exceptionally well."
Fitzgerald said the team would look ahead to next season now.
"I think we will learn a lot from this game. This is our first year as a club and I am very proud of what we have created this season and looking forward to next year."
The Lightning moved the ball around the court to great effect, with the Giants unable to stop the team.
Despite some defensive adjustments in the second half, the Lightning’s attack was simply too good, while the Giants blew a number of scoring opportunities.
The Lightning’s Karla Mostert was named the most valuable player on court.
The Giants won 10 of 14 games in the first season of Super Netball, and defeated the top placed Melbourne Vixens to earn a spot in the grand final.