By Charlotte Knoke
The Thunderbirds produced a clinical performance, winning by 11 goals against the Vixens. Playing a consistent four-quarter match, the Adelaide Thunderbirds sealed the win and solidified their place as second on the Suncorp Super Netball ladder for 2023.
The Vixens were able to get out to an early 3-goal lead, but pressure from Shamera Sterling gave the Adelaide Thunderbirds possession and brought them back to a 2-goal deficit.
Tippah Dwan was very impressive early in the goal attack position for the Thunderbirds, both in attack and defence.
A misplaced ball from Tayla Williams caused the ball to fall out of court and into the hands of the Vixens, but they instantly transitioned into defence and got the ball back.
A supershot from Eleanor Cardwell was important for the Thunderbirds to try and claw back the margin.
Latanya Wilson picked up a loose ball and the Thunderbirds capitalised which brought the game back to even.
At the other end of the court, Emily Mannix picked up an intercept and Mwai Kumwenda attempted a supershot which was rejected by Sterling on the buzzer.
The two sides went into the second quarter even (13-13).
Early in the second quarter, an offensive contact was called against Liz Watson to give the Thunderbirds possession, and Cardwell capitalised. This was followed by their own centre pass so the Thunderbirds were able to gain a 2-goal lead (15-13).
The pressure from Williams, Wilson and Garrett seemed to be where the Thunderbirds were winning a lot of ball.
The Thunderbirds had disciplined play rather than forcing it into the circle, and the strong and confident play from the Thunderbirds attacking unit allowed them a 5-goal lead (24-19).
Dwan missed a supershot for the Thunderbirds and Jo Weston picked up the rebound, allowing the Vixens to convert and reduce the deficit.
The Thunderbirds found an easy connection to the circle and scored just before the half-time buzzer.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds won the second-quarter by 5, and entered the second-half winning 29-24.
The Thunderbirds came out strong early in the third-quarter with a turnover. But a missed shot from Dwan was capitalised on by the Vixens who transitioned down the court quickly to Kumwenda.
A held ball was called against the Vixens, showcasing the pressure the Thunderbirds were putting them under. At the other end of the court, Dwan was also called for a held ball and Emily Mannix was able to gain possession for the Vixens who converted and brought the margin back to 2 (32-30).
Adelaide Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petty came onto the court into centre for the home side after a time-out was called by stand-in head coach Cathy Fellows.
Matilda Garrett was dominant in defence for the Thunderbirds, picking up ball and giving her side the opportunity to extend their lead back out to 5.
The hands-over pressure from Sterling caused more turn-overs for the Thunderbirds.
Wilson contested a cross-court ball and was able to gain possession for the Thunderbirds following an uncharacteristic missed shot from Cardwell.
Kiera Austin was strong for the Vixens in her 50th domestic league match, scoring a supershot during the Power Five.
Mannix picked up an intercept in the circle but at the other end of the court, Watson was called offside and the home team once again gained possession.
Austin scored another supershot for the Vixens, reducing the deficit to 2.
Cardwell and Austin were responding to each other with supershots in the final minutes of the quarter, until a missed shot from Austin was capitalised on by the Thunderbirds through Dwan.
Sterling rejected another of Austin’s shots, and the Thunderbirds maintained their lead.
The Thunderbirds lead by 6 goals heading into the final quarter (44-38).
Hannah Mundy came on in centre for the Melbourne Vixens to start the final quarter.
A tip from Sterling allowed Dwan to convert for the Thunderbirds. With their centre pass to follow, they were able to score and extend their lead out to 9 goals (49-40).
Wilson was contesting everything and winning lots of ball for the Thunderbirds to capitalise on.
Vixens coach Simone McKinnis promptly called a time-out to try and slow the momentum of the home side and win back ball. Following the time-out, Watson was moved into centre, and Mundy moved to WA.
The Thunderbirds defenders were dominating and pulling in every ball. Garrett picked up a deflection and chased it up to gain possession for her side.
A missed shot from Austin was picked up by Sterling and converted by Dwan. This brought the Thunderbirds out to their biggest lead of the game (12 goals).
Kumwenda scored two supershots in a row for the Vixens, reducing the deficit to 8.
Olivia Lewis was brought into goalkeeper for the Vixens, sending Mannix to the bench, to change up the defensive style and confuse the Thunderbirds shooters.
Two missed supershots from Austin meant the Thunderbirds gained possession.
Dwan was sent to the bench due to blood, so Georgie Horjus moved into goal attack and Maisie Nankivell came onto the court in wing attack.
With one minute remaining, Kumwenda scored another supershot but there was still a 9-goal difference. Cardwell then responded with her own supershot and brought the Thunderbird’s lead back out to 11.
It was a dominating fourth-quarter by the Thunderbirds, winning the quarter 17-12.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds beat the Melbourne Vixens in front of a home crowd, winning by 11 goals (61-50).
