By Stephanie Smarrelli
With the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball grand final to be played on home soil there’s no doubt the Adelaide Thunderbirds will want nothing more than to be on court to bring home back-to-back premierships.
It’s going to be a tough ask though, with the signing period shaking up their premiership-winning line-up.
Following the euphoria of winning last year’s grand final the Thunderbirds were dealt a heavy blow with Assistant Coach Tracey Neville departing the club to lead newcomers the Melbourne Mavericks.
Following her across to Melbourne were England Roses shooter Eleanor Cardwell and midcourter Maisie Nankivell.
Lively goal attack Tippah Dwan also made the move north to join the purple army.
So where does that leave the reigning premiers?
Will the Thunderbirds be able to replicate premiership glory?Here’s a rundown of the ins and outs for the Thunderbirds.
Ins
Lauren Frew (elevated training partner)
Laura Scherian (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Romelda Aiken-George (NSW Swifts)
Outs
Eleanor Cardwell (Melbourne Mavericks)
Tippah Dwan (Queensland Firebirds)
Maisie Nankivell (Melbourne Mavericks)
2024 Squad
Shooters
Romelda Aiken-George
Lucy Austin
Lauren Frew
Midcourters
Hannah Petty
Tayla Williams
Georgie Horjus
Laura Scherian
Defenders
Matilda Garrett
Latanya Wilson
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey
Predicted Starting Seven
GS: Romelda Aiken-George
GA: Georgie Horjus
WA: Laura Scherian
C: Hannah Petty
WD: Latanya Wilson
GD: Matilda Garrett
GK: Shamera Sterling-Humphrey
The Thunderbirds look solid for 2024. Whether or not they’re able to go back-to-back will depend on how quickly their new combinations settle on the court.
But one of the strengths of this line up is their wealth of versatility in attack giving Obst plenty of options to play with if things aren’t going their way.
Speedster Georgie Horjus is no stranger to slotting a long bomb while also being lethal in the midcourt, Lucy Austin has the energy and smarts to play in goal attack or goal shooter as does elevated training partner Lauren Frew who Austin already has a connection with having come through the South Australian pathway together.
Horjus' ability to move from midcourt to goal circle is an asset to the side.The South Australian goal circle will also have the added experience of Romelda Aiken-George. A seasoned campaigner, Aiken-George has 214 national league games to her name and although it’s been a while, she can also pull on the goal keeper bib.
Replacing Eleanor Cardwell won’t be easy but if anyone can do it, it’s Aiken-George. She was a regular feature at goal shooter for the NSW Swifts last year as an injury replacement player and didn’t miss a beat.
Adding to the versatile attack, Tayla Williams returns and is likely to continue to impress on the court alongside premiership captain Hannah Petty. Both players are set to learn a lot with former Sunshine Coast Lightning midcourter Laura Scherian joining them and bringing plenty of grit and experience with her.
The other big advantage the Thunderbirds have for 2024 is their premiership-winning defensive trio.
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson and Matilda Garrett took their game to new heights in 2023 with the pressure they built essential to the grand final victory.
A proven match winner Sterling-Humphrey tallied 46 intercepts throughout season 2023. Her innate ability to read the play and have courage to take risks when the game is on the line will be key to the Thunderbirds’ defending their title in 2024.
It’ll be no easy feat for the Thunderbirds to win back-to-back premierships and no team has done it since the Lightning in 2018 but if the side can find rhythm with their new combinations and use the home grand final as extra incentive to win, they’ll have the talent in their squad to go all the way.
