THE Gold Coast Titans have won three consecutive HART Premier Netball League Sapphire games, and can go a long way to locking down third spot on the ladder with victory on Wednesday night against the Sunshine Coast Thunder.
Although another finals campaign, including securing a maiden HPNL Sapphire premiership, isn’t yet a focus for a young side drilled on nailing the basics and demonstrating consistent core principles.
Coach Victor Potaka said he was really pleased with what his players were delivering on the netball court ahead of a mighty Round 13 mid-week clash at Nissan Arena.
“At the beginning of the year, Erin (Byrnes, assistant coach) and I selected a team for the long haul, and a few were new to the Sapphire division, so to be able to put performances out like they have for the past few weeks is awesome and we’re excited for things to come,” Potaka said.
“Our focus is on the small things and our principles, being consistent and honestly not worrying about who we’re playing, which has helped us. We’re trying to reduce the outside noise.”
Which is ironic considering the Titans are arguably the loudest franchise in the competition.
“We’ve got one of the loudest benches but you should hear our changeroom as well,” Potaka said.
“You can’t hear anything in there. No matter the result, I feel we really get each other and there’s a good vibe.”
Captain Shenae Grant agrees, believing their ability to enjoy each other’s company off the court has set them up to peak at the right end of the season.
“When trying to find our changeroom downstairs, listen out for music and hollering,” Grant said.
“There’s a definite camaraderie, whether on the court or the bench, with everyone cheering for each other. Anyone can step up and have an impact.”
This is the 27-year-old’s fourth season with the club, second as captain, and one of the best for the multiple MVP recipient who nursed a broken ankle throughout the back end of 2025.
“I came to find my love for netball again, and since being at the club have found that,” Grant said.
“The environment created, the coaches we have, the girls on the team, all play into that. The girls out the front do all the work for me to gain my glory moments.”
The tough goalkeeper will need plenty of those glory moments come Wednesday night against a fifth-placed Thunder side playing for pride with only two regular rounds remaining.
“It’s always a very tough contest with Thunder,” Grant said.
“I’m not sure what it is, the two ends of the coast. I think there’s only been a couple of goals in it the past few years, and we match up well with them strengths-wise, but we’ve got a bit of confidence going in after the recent wins.”
Netball Queensland's NetballQ TV, the home of community netball in Queensland, is delivering live and free coverage of the state’s most exciting grassroots and pathways competitions, including the HART Premier Netball League Sapphire and Ruby Series. Click here to access NetballQ TV.
