Giants Netball captain Kim Green eager to perform on Canberra return

Green is set to take the court for the first time in Canberra since she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament two-years ago.

The 33-year-old was pulled from last year's sole Super Netball clash in Canberra due a calf niggle but has returned in-form and ready to perform.

The Giants hold an unbeaten record in three games at the venue and will look to extend that run when they face the Queensland Firebirds on Sunday.

Green, who played one season for Canberra Darters in the former national league, visited Tuggeranong Netball Association on Saturday and greeted local fans.

Tickets are on the verge of selling out and Green believes the Giants will thrive off a boisterous Canberra crowd.

"I'm ready to go [on Sunday] and I just love Canberra," Green said.

"Sport is such a big part of the Canberra community. It's a real passion for the game from the grassroots and all the way through.

"We know when we get onto AIS Arena that it's ours. We feel it, the fans really get into it and it's a safe haven for us in that we can play away but still be home. Not many teams can say they have that."

The Canberra clash is the Giants' best opportunity to claim maximum points and solidify their position in the top-four as the finals draw near.

The Giants are neck-to-neck with the Collingwood Magpies for fourth position, with only three-points separating them on the leader-board. The interstate-club risk losing their position should they lose to the Firebirds on Sunday.

Queensland are yet to secure their first win of the season but have marginally lost most of their games.

The Firebirds nearly drew with second-placed Sunshine Coast Lightning last round, with Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken back from injury.

Queensland will be desperate to redeem their season but the Giants are fighting for semi-finals spot. Green won't be taking the opposition lightly despite their place on the ladder.

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"They are that good. We know they're firing and itching for a win," Green said.

"They're playing very good netball and we know not to take them lightly. They're going to want that win just as badly as we do.

"We're going into the back-end of the season and hopefully we're playing finals. We need to start peaking at the right time and putting our foot down.

"The match is going to be very passionate and there's a real want for that win. It's going to be a great spectacle for the Canberra community."

The Giants have a tough road heading into finals and will face reigning champions Sunshine Coast next week.

Julie Fitzgerald's side reached the grand-final and preliminary final in the first two Super Netball seasons, but have struggled to maintain consistency this year.

With Lightning, NSW Swifts and Melbourne Vixens likely to secure the top-three positions, Fitzgerald said the Giants have their sights set on claiming the last finals spot.

"We've battled too hard to try and finish in the top-two spots in previous years," Fitzgerald said.

"It's important for us to concentrate on reaching fourth position and see what happens from there.

"You can put an extreme amount of pressure on yourself trying to get home finals. The more experienced you become and the more [finals] you play, you realise it's not the be all and end all.

"We want to consolidate that fourth position but more than anything, we want to play consistently good netball. We haven't been consistent enough this season so that's what we're working towards."

SUPER NETBALL

Sunday: Giants Netball v Queensland Firebirds at AIS Arena, 1pm.