By Stephanie Smarrelli
The Adelaide Thunderbirds have soared to new heights, defeating the NSW Swifts by one goal in extra time for their maiden Suncorp Super Netball Premiership.
Goal for goal early and in front of a vocal 9,622 crowd at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena both teams proved that they could perform under pressure.
The Swifts defence was suffocating forcing the Thunderbirds to pass back and forth rather than taking an easy route to goal. However, the Thunderbirds remained calm and collected to work their way through it.
Shamera Sterling was the first to make her mark on the match battling Romelda-Aiken George for the ball and drawing the offensive contact to put the Thunderbirds ahead.
Following suite teammate Latanya Wilson controlled the ball for another gain and the Thunderbirds then blitzed out to a five-goal lead.
Swift Helen Housby had her eyes firmly locked on the goal when she entered the Suncorp Super Shot zone during the Power Five to confidently narrow the Thunderbirds’ lead.
However, Sterling prevented the Swifts from getting too close with an intercept before the end of the quarter allowing the Thunderbirds to head into the break in front by four goals.
Goal for goal early, however, the Thunderbirds led at the first break,The Thunderbirds began the second quarter how they finished the last, flying out to win the ball in defence with Eleanor Cardwell and Tippah Dwan getting the job done in attack.
The Swifts were stunted moving down the court into attack with the defensive pressure from the Thunderbirds making every decision a challenge.
The Thunderbirds’ tight defensive pressure across the court paid dividends with the side extending their lead to seven goals by the halfway point of the quarter.
Georgie Horjus was prolific in attack, hitting the circle edge and feeding in with ease while also applying plenty of defensive pressure when the Swifts had the ball.
As the scoreboard pressure grew, the Swifts began to fumble, having trouble executing the basics and consequently further allowing the Thunderbirds to surge.
Nine goals down heading into the Super Shot period, Housby put her hand up again for the Swifts slotting a Super Shot before teammate Sophie Fawns joined the party.
The might of Housby and Fawns, however, wasn’t enough with the Thunderbirds taking an eight-goal lead into halftime.
Housby had her sights firmly on sinking Super Shots.
With only a half of netball left to play and the Suncorp Super Netball trophy on the line, the battle intensified.
Swifts co-captains Maddy Proud and Paige Hadley did everything they could to lift their team, fighting for every ball and sharing the workload in the attack half.
In defence Teigan O’Shannassy and Sarah Klau contested every ball in the air creating a physical contest for every ball into the Thunderbirds attack with Maddy Turner on the prowl.
However, everywhere the Swifts turned, they were met by pink with Sterling having another strong quarter hunting the ball.
Leading the quarter heading into the Power Five, the Swifts started to mount a comeback.
The Swifts cut the margin during the third term.The Swifts were able to make the most of their opportunities though, winning enough back to be only three goals down at the final break.
Starting with the centre pass to start the last quarter the Swifts knew their moment had arrived. Taking the first goal of the quarter, they fiercely contested every Thunderbirds pass.
With the Swifts breathing down their necks a mistake in the Thunderbirds midcourt and the Swifts capitalised to cut the lead and draw level.
With the premiership on the line, the Swifts defensive pressure made the Thunderbirds hesitate and that hesitation cost them with the Swifts taking the lead halfway through the term.
However, the Thunderbirds weren’t about to let the Swifts steal the win with a turnover allowing them to draw level and Cardwell scoring a Super Shot for the lead.
Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petty then intercepted and Cardwell slot another putting the pressure on the Swifts to catch up.
And catch up they did with a Maddy Proud gain resulting in a Housby levelling Super Shot and Hadley with a game saving gain sending the match into extra time.
Extra time was hotly contested with both Housby and Cardwell stepping up to the challenge early slotting Super Shots for their respective teams.
However, the Thunderbirds’ defensive pressure forced the Swifts into a held ball and Cardwell capitalised again but then an offensive contact had the Swifts charging.
Fawns levelled the scores for the Swifts but Sterling showed why she’s the best interceptor in the league burying the Swifts dreams as her teammates made the intercept count.
The Swifts tried their hardest, however, were unable to halt the pink tide with the Thunderbirds winning by one goal.
Eleanor Cardwell was named the Visit Victoria Player of the Match for her outstanding performance.
