It had been a long 10 years but the Adelaide Thunderbirds created history.
The Thunderbirds claimed the Suncorp Super Netball premiership trophy, after an extra time thriller that will go down in netball history.
Melbourne's John Cain Arena was packed to the rafters on Saturday. The proceedings began at the inaugural Grand Final lunch, carried through to the first ever Clubhouse activation zone and into a sold out stadium.
Adelaide Thunderbirds keeper Shamera Sterling flies for an intercept over Romelda Aiken-George. Picture: Joanna Margiolis, Netball Australia.
In an electric match that ebbed and flowed, the battle for the trophy had it all.
From breaking a decade long drought, to the international superstars who shone on the big stage, to an unforgettable finish in extra time.
These are the key takeaways from the blockbuster Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.
THUNDERBIRDS MAKE HISTORY
The Thunderbirds came out of the blocks firing against the Swifts, catching the minor premiers off-guard.
Ten years since their last premiership, the Thunderbirds were determined to bring the premiership trophy home with them to Adelaide.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds won their maiden Suncorp Super Netball Premiership.The side held an eight-goal lead at halftime making the most of their opportunities to convert.
In the first half the Swifts had nine turnovers to the Thunderbirds five and the side had taken zero intercepts and gains.
The Swifts inability to steal possession early, highlighted how well the Thunderbirds were treasuring the ball and carefully threading it down the court before scoring.
NEVER COUNT OUT THE SWIFTS
However, the Swifts proved that they couldn’t be ruled out of the match, igniting during the third quarter.
The Swifts won the quarter 13 goals to eight with a halftime rev up from Sophie Fawns inspiring the group to come out strong.
Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner worked themselves into the game and started to have an impact with the Swifts converting three goals from gains in the term.
Turner and Klau's defensive pressure lifted as the match wore on.In the blink of an eye the Swifts trimmed the Thunderbirds lead and went on to win the fourth quarter, also overtaking the Thunderbirds and then draw level come the end of regular time.
The Swifts fought until the very end of the match with Helen Housby absorbing the pressure and nailing the Super Shots to try and keep up with the Thunderbirds.
It was a grand final comeback for the ages that just fell short.
INTERNATIONAL STARS IMPRESS
The International stars impressed throughout the grand final for both sides.
Thunderbird Eleanor Cardwell took out the Visit Victoria Player of the Match title with a shooting percentage of 94 per cent.
While Shamera Sterling was a match-winner in defence taking intercepts at crucial moments in the game to ensure the Swifts would not have the opportunity to shoot and win.
The international stars put on a show during the Grand Final.Sterling finished the match with seven gains and three intercepts with fellow Thunderbird Latanya Wilson also impactful throughout the match.
For the Swifts Romelda Aiken-George was a commanding presence in the goal circle alongside Helen Housby.
The duo’s shooting working the Swifts back into the match and keeping them in premiership contention until the dying moments of extra time.
