Tbirds young gun ready and waiting

By Matt Fotia 

Lauren Frew was there when the Adelaide Thunderbirds lifted their first ever Suncorp Super Netball Trophy in 2023. 

The then training partner was stood a metre or two behind the ecstatic champions, watching on with delight as Hannah Petty lifted the Thunderbirds first trophy since 2013.  

This year they’re on track to make it back-to-back glories, in front of packed-out Adelaide Entertainment Centre, and this time Frew won’t be watching from the back row.  

She’ll be front and centre. 

The off-season goaling departures of Eleanor Cardwell (Melbourne Mavericks) and Tippah Dwan (Queensland Firebirds) opened the door for the proud South Australian to join the contracted ten for the first time. 

She’s done more than just join the contracted ten. The Adelaide local has appeared in every Thunderbirds match this season, racking up more than 100 goals and 100 assists, and starred in their Major Semi Final win over the Melbourne Vixens. 

Frew says her first objective of the 2024 season was to prove to everyone, including herself, that she had earned her spot on the Thunderbirds list. 

“We had two goalers leave and most people think the natural progression would be for the training partner to fulfil that spot, but I really wanted to show not only myself, but the fans and my family I had really earned that spot,” Frew said. 

“It’s been a gradual thing. 

“From round one to now the main thing I’m finding in myself is how much my confidence has increased. 

“In round one it was my debut, I was nervous and really playing on adrenaline. 

“The hard work that went in over pre-season helped me earn that starting role and I feel like from there I’ve grown each week and built trust with all my teammates.” 

Frew undersells her journey to the SSN. 

An underage star at both state and international level, Frew was an Australian Netball Championships winner in 2022 with the Southern Force and has plied her trade in the South Australian Premier League since 2020. 

Despite this lengthy, and impressive, apprenticeship Frew was still caught off guard by the jump up in standard. 

“The intensity was a big jump and the body pressure that all the defenders put on you, they were the two things I had to work my way around,” Frew explained. 

“I had to do quite a lot of work in the gym to get stronger, so I didn’t get pushed around, but I think the pre-season matches really helped me. 

“Just being aware of it and learning how to combat it mentally and knowing how much harder you have to work.” 

Thankfully, the presence of Matrics Netball Club and Southern Force teammate Lucy Austin has helped the young goal attack settle into life as a professional netballer. 

“It’s been really nice having her there as a support,” Frew said. 

“Luce and I have developed such a great connection, off court and on court playing at Matrics. 

“She’s always there to give me advice or give me feedback which has been really comforting.” 

While Frew’s relationship with Austin has developed over a handful of years, it is her new friendship with champion goaler Romelda Aiken-George that has brought Thunderbirds fans more joy. 

Aiken-George, who played against the Thunderbirds for the NSW Swifts in last season’s decider, signed with the Adelaide outfit to inject some experience into the Thunderbirds attack end. 

Frew says the mere presence of Aiken-George out on court fills her with confidence. 

“When I’m shooting and I’ve got Romelda under the ring it gives me so much confidence,” Frew said. 

“I’ve only known her since she came down to Adelaide, but I feel like we’ve really developed a great relationship. 

“We know when to be serious, but we can also have a bit of fun out on court.” 

This version of the Thunderbirds looks like they have fun 24/7 under the tutelage of Tania Obst and Cathy Fellows. 

The Thunderbirds hadn’t featured in an SSN finals series until 2023 and were regular cellar dwellers prior to last season’s triumph. 

The atmosphere fostered by Obst and Fellows has become a talking point in netball circles, with onlookers keen to understand what makes this Thunderbirds’ environment such a successful one. 

Frew believes Obst and Fellows have created a safe space for the Thunderbirds players to grow as humans and netballers. 

“Tania and Cathy have developed such a great culture and atmosphere at the Thunderbirds,” Frew stated. 

“The environment they’ve created makes you feel like you can make mistakes, which is what you need to flourish and grow as a player. 

“I’m really lucky to have them and for them to believe in me and give me the (contracted) spot in the beginning.” 

The Thunderbirds have become the hottest sporting ticket in town for Adelaide locals over the past 24 months.  

Their popularity meant they’d outgrown Netball SA stadium, with home games moved to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for 2024. They’ve had no trouble packing that out each and every home game either. 

Frew says the next generation are more aware of the Thunderbirds than ever before. 

“Playing home games at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre has been incredible,” Frew said. 

“Having triple the amount of people, compared to last year, really just builds that atmosphere. 

“More kids are aware of the Thunderbirds, they know who we are. 

“The pink army are going strong and it’s amazing to play in front of them.” 

Playing the Grand Final in front of a home crowd isn’t the only thing that’s different for the Thunderbirds this time around.  

In 2023 they were the underdogs, the hunters. 

In 2024 they are overwhelming favourites, with a massive target on their back. 

Frew believes she and her teammates are ready for what’s in store. 

“Laura Scherian talked earlier in the year about pressure being a privilege and how important it is to enjoy these moments,” Frew said. 

“It seems (at the moment) like they come around often, but if you look at where the Thunderbirds have come from, it’s really crazy. 

“I’m a little nervous but mainly excited. 

“We have all put in so much hard work and I feel like we’re really prepared. 

“We know what we’ve got to do.”