The Collingwood Magpies have defeated the ladder leading Adelaide Thunderbirds (53-50) in emotional scenes at John Cain Arena.
The Magpies came out hot and with a point to prove against the travelling Thunderbirds. The home side got out to an early lead thanks to an intercept from lively defender Jodi-Ann Ward.
Shimona Nelson was unstoppable under the post, slotting 13/13 in the first term and was supported by Sophie Garbin who was 3/3 with nine feeds at the initial break.
For the the Thunderbirds it was Georgie Horjus who was a workhorse in attack and had 16 feeds in the opening quarter.
Matilda Garrett was also busy with two gains.
The Magpies continued that form into the second term, forcing the Thunderbirds into turning the ball over before capitalising at the other end. They stretched the lead to seven goals at one stage.
The absence of Thunderbirds skipper Hannah Petty, who was a late out and being load managed ahead of the Thunderbirds' finals campaign, was noticeable.
But Shamera Sterling stood up and really injected herself into the game midway through the second.
Her efforts weren't rewarded down the other end though, with Ward taking a fly in front of Cardwell.
Thunderbirds training partner Sophie Casey was handed the wing defence bib during the second term and proved a composed figure on court.
The visitors were clearly trying to shake off some John Cain Arena demons after getting handed an absolute thumping from the Vixens a few weeks ago.
They never looked comfortable in the first half, and despite a late super shot from the hot hand of English import Elle Cardwell the Thunderbirds still trailed the Magpies by four goals at the main break (27-23).
Kelsey Browne had the ball on a string and found Nelson with ease early in the third.
At the other end of the court the Thunderbirds injected Lucy Austin into the game at goal shooter which allowed Cardwell to get involved more down the court.
Desperation from Browne in chasing down a loose ball really kicked the Magpies into another gear. They quickly stretched the lead out to nine.
The frustration was visible among the Thunderbirds group. Sterling was spending a lot of time out of play for contacts on Nelson while the connection between Cardwell and Tippah Dwan was lacking compared to recent weeks.
Garrett and Sterling soon combined for a few vital deflections which landed in Thunderbirds hands. They were able to trim the margin before Austin and Cardwell sunk back to back super shots to get their side with in two goals in the dying minutes.
But the Magpies were able to hold on, spearheaded by the support of their home crowd at John Cain Arena in what would be their final home game at the venue.
They held their cool and chewed up the seconds on the clock before Nelson slotted the final goal, putting the game to bed.
Browne was awarded MVP with 40 feeds and 17 assists while Molly Jovic was also a force in the midcourt. She racked up her 1000th feed in her 51-game career. She finished with 35 feeds and 17 assists.
It was emotional scenes at John Cain Arena post-game, with the Collingwood group struggling to hold back tears and thanking their fans for their support.
The Magpies will now face the Melbourne Vixens on King's Birthday.
