Leading from the first whistle, the Jets were dominant across the court with an early Titans’ time-out failing to halt the minor premiers’ slick start driven by multiple Lily Gribble pick-ups and impressive accuracy in goals from Elsa Sif Sandholt.
The Jets continued to push out a 15-7 first quarter lead, despite changes to both lines including resting captain Hulita Veve, and took a 27-15 advantage into half-time.
Lapses in concentration in the Jets’ attack end, forced by consistent pressure from Titans defensive duo Bryah Gafa and Jess Milne, saw a scrappy third quarter ending in the Jets maintaining their 12-goal lead (39-27).
A Gribble chase-down off an own intercept was the highlight of the fourth quarter, which had the energy drained from it as the margin blew to 22 goals.
Despite the defeat, there were encouraging signs for the Titans not only in their back defensive pairing, but with the introduction of goal shooter Amy Latu - who only joined the Gold Coast club this week.
Temepara Bailey’s tight-knit Gold Coast outfit has also been impacted by the omission of midcourter Kourtnee Baird due to injury.
Jets coach Paula Stuart remains wary of the Titans’ ability to deliver should they bounce back to qualify for a rematch in the premiership game.
“They still have Kourtnee Baird out and Josie (Bingham), I’m not sure, but it looked like she may have been on limited time coming back from an injury,” Stuart said.
“If we meet them in the final again, it will be a different team. We can’t take it too easy at all.”
The Jets will be without Veve for the July 30 grand final, as she leaves Brisbane to join the Tongan Talas ahead of the upcoming Netball World Cup in South Africa.
Yet Stuart has the highest regard for fellow midcourter Chloe Litherland.
“When Hulita has been away for Firebirds and Tonga, Chloe’s fitted in really nicely in that centre role,” Stuart said.
“Chloe does all the hard work out the front…it’s great when people notice her footwork, her speed off the mark, her help in bringing the ball down. She’s one you need to watch for the future. She’s 27, but she’s just hitting her peak now.”
The Jets’ major semi-final victory guarantees them a week off while the preliminary final between the Titans and ACU Brisbane North Cougars is being played to determine who gets to have one last tilt at the premiership.
The Cougars qualified for this Sunday’s prelim at Nissan Arena, starting at 6pm, after a come-from-behind 52-42 win over the Sunshine Coast Thunder in the minor semi-final.
While in the Ruby Series, minor premiers Carina Leagues Club Tigers are through to the grand final with a 61-49 victory over the Cougars.
The Cougars will now have a second crack at qualifying for the decider, this Sunday at 4pm, when they face the Titans who knocked out the Jets with a 59-49 minor semi-final win.
For the HART Sapphire Series fixture, results and ladder, please click here.
For the Ruby Series fixture, results and ladder, please click here.
