TBirds continue strong run to finals

By Chloe Pilkington

Ladder leaders Adelaide Thunderbirds are on track to complete a stunning rise from their 7th place finish last year, after a strong 24-9 fourth quarter performance against the Queensland Firebirds.

With both teams celebrating player milestones (50th SSN appearances for Lara Dunkley, Georgie Horjus and Maisie Nankivell), each side started out in full confidence, going goal-for-goal early in the first quarter.

But after a few misses off the hands of Firebirds’ GA Emily Moore, the home side were able to push the score out to 6-3.

Pressure was felt down the other end of the court as Eleanor Cardwell also struggled to find the centre of the ring and Ruby Bakewell-Doran went up strong for the rebounds.

Sterling wreaked havoc on court, making it difficult for the Firebird attack line to get the ball into the hands of their shooters. The player-of-the-match finished with 10 gains, 9 deflections, 6 intercepts and 3 rebounds, coming away with an impressive 154.5 Nissan NetPoints.

A wayward ball off a Firebirds’ centre pass was picked up by the Thunderbirds but the home side weren't able to capitalise with an impressive rejection from Remi Kamo.

The first timeout of the match was called by Firebirds’ coach Bec Bulley just a minute out of the Power Five as her side trailed by 3 (9-6).

Strong one-on-one defence from the Firebirds forced a held ball and Wallam rewarded her defensive end, draining the first Super Shot of the game and leveling the score (10-10).

Both sides showed no sign of backing down early, finishing the first quarter on 12 a piece.

Early in the second quarter, Thunderbirds’ GA Tippah Dwan took a hard fall and was replaced by Lucy Austin. 

Momentum swayed into Firebirds’ favour after a few misses from Cardwell and the away side took their biggest lead of the game (13-16).

Sterling came up with another stellar intercept, but Kamo delivered down the other end with an intercept of her own and the home side were forced to call a tactical timeout after trailing 19-21.

Georgie Horjus was moved into GA, after playing predominantly in WA this season for the TBirds. The positional switch paid off as Horjus drained a Super Shot and levelled the game once again at 21-21.

Gabi Simpson put her body on the line and was assisted off court after a solid fall in an attempt for an intercept.

The home side went into half time leading by 2 but the purple army showed no signs of backing down.

Hulita Veve was brought into the game at C for the Firebirds, after impressing last week in Round 8 against the Magpies.

Horjus continued to shine, shooting confidently from mid-range and the home side were able to bring the margin out to 6 forcing a Firebirds’ timeout.

Mia Stower was moved into WA and fed beautiful long-range balls into Donnell Wallam under the post.

An offensive contact was called against Lucy Austin and quick ball movement across court from the Firebirds was finished with a goal off the hands of Wallam.

Horjus drained another Super Shot and the Thunderbirds took the lead out to 38-30, as the Firebirds struggled to push through the solid TBird defence line.

Kamo came up with an all-important intercept and Wallam was able to sink a crucial Super Shot, as Cardwell was brought back on court with 60 seconds left of the third quarter.

Wallam sunk a Super Shot on the buzzer but the Thunderbirds still held a 2-goal lead going into the final quarter (39-37).

After being injected back into the game, Cardwell came out firing in the final term, bringing a new energy to the Thunderbirds.

Horjus and Cardwell impressed with superb shooter-to-shooter connection, putting on a show for their home crowd.

Sterling flew through with another intercept and the Firebirds were stunned with the home sides’ fast down court transition.

Bakewell-Doran came up with a vital intercept, but Sterling proved too strong, winning the ball back with her long reach and tough hands-over pressure.

The home side blew the score out to 55-42 after another slick Super Shot off the hands of Cardwell.

Forced to play catch-up, Wallam had to shoot out the game with 2-pointers but couldn’t find the centre of the ring.

Cardwell continued to dominate, sinking another Super Shot and the ladder leaders finished the final quarter with 24 points over the Firebirds’ 9.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds remain on top of the ladder with an important match against the Melbourne Vixens next week, as the Queensland Firebirds’ hopes for finals come to an end and are in for a tough Round 10 clash against the West Coast Fever.