Sunshine Coast Lightning and GWS Giants draw in Suncorp Super Netball

Sunshine Coast Lightning have rallied after a poor start against the second-placed Giants for a fiery conclusion in a 53-53 Super Netball draw.

Australian captain Caitlin Bassett claimed her 40th goal from 44 attempts on the buzzer to bring her side - who had been eight goals behind at one stage - back to level pegging on the Sunshine Coast.

Starting at wing defence, Madeline McAuliffe moved into centre towards the end of the first period and helped lead the Lightning fightback from early in the second.

"I think we're good sometimes when we have to fight and that's what we do when we're down," she told the Nine Network.

"Unfortunately, we just can't wait until we get to that position to do it so we just need to make sure we're doing that consistently throughout the quarter."

There was an intense battle in the Lightning's defensive third as momentum swung their way from the Giants' shooters to goal defence Karla Pretorius and goal keeper Geva Mentor.

Last season's MVP Mentor typically discouraged any passes over the top with her vertical coverage, while the disruptive Pretorius often managed to get her hand to the ball and claimed two intercepts - impacts not lost on Giants goal shooter Susan Pettitt (21/25).

"I think Geva and Karla have really stepped up that ante," Pettitt said. "We've probably slipped into what they wanted to do to us."

The shooter was replaced at halftime by the more-imposing Kristina Brice, who missed three of five attempts despite getting into good shooting positions. The switch was reversed mid-quarter after just eight minutes.

Three of the Giants' five wins this season have been by three or less goals but, on this occasion, they could not find the final touch - the two sides splitting competition and bonus points, with the Lightning claiming the second and third quarters.