The Adelaide Thunderbirds underlined their Suncorp Super Netball Premiership credentials against the NSW Swifts at Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday.
In a replay of last year’s Grand Final it was the South Australians who demonstrated why they are on track to equal the Swifts and Lightning’s records of dual titles in the SSN era with a clinical 60-48 win.
The Round 13 result ended the Swifts’ mathematical hopes of a fifth Finals campaign in six seasons meaning Briony Akle’s troops will now have to look to 2025 in their bid to return to the top table.
After almost a decade in the doldrums, the Thunderbirds have shown last year’s thrilling extra-time Grand Final win over the Swifts was no flash in the pan.
Their defence of Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Matilda Garrett and Latanya Wilson troubled the Swifts attack all afternoon, and while NSW were their own worst enemy with unforced turnovers on attack, the Thunderbirds were clinical when it was needed.
Former Swift Romelda Aiken-George, who played for NSW in last year’s decider, was the target the visitors needed to keep the scoreboard ticking over. That’s not to say she had it easy. The Swifts defence came up with plenty of gains, but converting was the team’s Achillies heel.
Match MVP Sterling-Humphrey had nine gains to her name at the final whistle and it was her ability to trouble Helen Housby, Sophie Fawns and Uneeq Palavi that proved the big difference.
The Swifts had their moments, particularly in the final quarter, but by that stage the South Australians simply had to stay cool to keep the home side at arm’s length.
That said, Akle will have been pleased by the performances of her defence, notably Teigan O’Shannassy who looks the real deal at Super Netball level, while the flair of Palavi and the growth of Fawns throughout the contest showed the double-title winning coach still has all the elements of a top side once this season draws to a close.
Asked if she thought 2024 was a massive learning opportunity for her group, she was candid.
“I think when you’ve had a year like we’ve had it will make you dig deeper for one percenters and two percenters.
“I know they are a great group of athletes that have gone through a rough time, but they’ll come out the other side. They are too good not to.
“They are champion players that will rebound and I’m excited by that.”
The third quarter was ultimately where the contest was decided. Despite only being down by six at halftime, the Swifts lost their rhythm after the break and Adelaide punished them.
The visitors outscored the Swifts 10-1 in a five-minute spell midway through the period, forcing the Swifts into chase mode early.
In typical Swifts fashion, they kept fighting. The final quarter proved to be their best and they won it 15-12. However, the stat that will haunt them was the failure to capitalise on the their defensive effort.
MATCH STATS
