By Sophie Taylor
The Adelaide Thunderbirds have secured a home Grand Final berth following an enormous 25-goal victory over the Melbourne Vixens at Adelaide 36ers Arena.
The biggest finals winning margin in Suncorp Super Netball history, the Thunderbirds were go from the very beginning and did not relent throughout an immense contest.
The Saturday night blockbuster went the Thunderbirds’ way from the very start, leading by six goals at the first break before opening up a commanding 16-goal lead at half time.
Physicality was on the menu with Rudi Ellis making herself known on Romelda Aiken-George and Jo Weston’s long arms piling on the pressure against Thunderbird Georgie Horjus.
The intensity of the occasion was clear with early turnovers from both sides, but luck was on the side of the Thunderbirds who were continuously first to the ball and were able to capitalise.
Their immense midcourt pressure kept the heat on the Vixens, keeping the away side accountable and controlling the tempo of the game with ease.
The second quarter was when the Thunderbirds defenders really picked up.
Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey took the foot off the pedal to create more and more turnover ball, shutting down the Vixens’ goal circle in the process.
The Thunderbirds get a week off before hosting the Grand Final in two weeks.Lily Graham entered the game, working in tandem with both Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin at times to carve some space in the goal circle, but inaccuracy continued to plague the side.
Momentum was with the Thunderbirds heading into the main break, and the flood continued from there.
Connection and speed in attack piled on the offensive pressure, forcing a wealth of changes from Simone McKinnis’s charges – but nothing could stick to the Thunderbirds on a mission.
There were no holds barred through the midcourt with bodies flying and it was very clear that neither team would go home with anything left in the tank.
With a 22-goal margin heading into the final quarter, it was too little too late for the Vixens despite some improvements to their attacking connection.
Sterling-Humphrey came alive late to secure her 300 intercepts milestone, showcasing her athleticism and impressive timing.
She finished with 14 gains (five intercepts) as Wilson (five gains) and Tayla Williams (19 goal assists, two gains) provided crucial links up the court.
Lauren Frew was outstanding to finish with 17 goals and a player of the match recognition alongside Aiken-George (39 goals from 44 attempts).
On a quiet night for the Vixens it was the midcourt combination that stood up as Hannah Mundy clocked up 12 goal assists and a gain and captain Kate Moloney was fierce in transition despite a minor knock early in the match.
The Thunderbirds will proceed straight through to the Grand Final at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on August 3, while the Vixens will host the Preliminary Final next Saturday night at John Cain Arena.
