By Rosie Gale
The Adelaide Thunderbirds delivered a stunning performance, ending the NSW Swifts' nine-game winning streak with a hard-fought 60-57 victory.
In an electrifying start to the match, Romelda Aiken-George etched her name in history by netting her 8,000th career goal, setting the tone for the Swifts' early dominance. The Swifts surged ahead, converting the first three majors with precision and flair.
The Thunderbirds, however, stumbled out of the blocks, failing to find the scoreboard in the opening minutes. The Swifts capitalised in attack while the Thunderbirds seemed uncertain in their approach.
But the Thunderbirds quickly regrouped, finding their rhythm and displaying remarkable resilience to level the scores with a series of end-to-end plays.
Tippah Dwan's dynamic movement around the goal circle created opportunities for the formidable Eleanor Cardwell.
With the Power Five siren blaring, Sophie Fawns entered the fray as the Swifts reshuffled their attacking lineup, pushing Housby to goal shooter. The tactical move paid dividends as Fawns drained the first Super Shot, followed swiftly by Housby's.
Sensing a shift in momentum, the Thunderbirds called a crucial timeout to disrupt the Swifts' rhythm and regain composure.
A wayward Thunderbirds center pass played into the hands of the Swifts, who immediately ramped up the pressure. However, the relentless defensive efforts from Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson allowed the Thunderbirds to wrestle back possession.
Dwan added further excitement to the contest with a sensational Super Shot, reducing the deficit to just three points.
Sarah Klau's physicality and unwavering drive injected vigor into the Swifts' play, while a late goal pushed them ahead by a slim two-point margin as the quarter-time whistle rang.
The second quarter saw a thrilling surge from the Thunderbirds, who dictated the majority of the play.
Eleanor Cardwell wasted no time, swiftly converting a goal from the center pass to put the Thunderbirds on the front foot.
The defensive duo of Latanya Wilson and Hannah Petty posed a formidable challenge for the Swifts, making it arduous for them to penetrate the middle. Wilson showcased her prowess with two crucial intercepts and six deflections, leaving a lasting impact on the game's first 20 minutes.
However, Maddy Turner swiftly turned the tide in the Swifts' favour, snatching an intercept in the circle to disrupt the Thunderbirds' attacking rhythm, allowing her team to capitalise at the other end of the court.
Aiken-George turned adversity into opportunity, intercepting a back-line throw-in to ignite a swift counter-attack, resulting in a crucial goal.
With the Thunderbirds holding a three-point lead, they wisely called a tactical time-out.
Sterling entered the court in the goal defense position, while Wilson, showcasing her versatility, moved back to the goal keeper role in an uncharacteristic move.
The Thunderbirds intensified their pressure and Wilson continued to shine, securing another impressive intercept under immense pressure, while their attacking unit took flight.
Sophie Fawns and Helen Housby injected a burst of energy into the Swifts' campaign, scoring two vital Super Shots with just over three minutes remaining, stealing some momentum in the process.
However, Sterling's impeccable block on Fawns' shot allowed the Thunderbirds to regain possession, with Wilson securing the ball. The stage was set for a thrilling climax to the quarter.
A late Super Shot from Cardwell provided the Thunderbirds with a three-point advantage, leaving the scoreboard reading 32-29 in their favour.
The Thunderbirds came out firing in the third quarter, putting pressure on the Swifts and causing them to make uncharacteristic errors. Sterling continued to shine with her exceptional defensive performance, with three deflections in the third term.
For the Swifts, Turner showcased her skills with another impressive intercept in the middle and in a blink of an eye, Housby capitalised on the turnover and leveled the scores.
The momentum shifted in favour of the Swifts though as Aiken-George made a brilliant tip, followed by a determined chase down from a turnover. The Thunderbirds appeared flustered, struggling with their connections and experiencing another costly turnover that fell into the hands of the Swifts. The score was all tied up at 42 apiece heading into the final quarter.
The final quarter was an intense battle with both teams fighting tooth and nail for the win. Both teams scored 11 each in the first half of the quarter.
The Thunderbirds made a strong start with Austin finding the net, but the Swifts responded, refusing to let their opponents gain an advantage.
Cardwell and Austin formed a formidable shooting duo for the Thunderbirds, creating constant threats in the circle.
The momentum swung back and forth as both teams fought for control. Klau's crucial intercept provided a turning point, allowing Aiken-George to convert and claim their center pass, giving the Swifts the upper hand in the quarter.
The Thunderbirds came back strong, securing another crucial ball that resulted in a goal by Austin, bringing the score to a tense 53-53 as the Power Five period approached.
A missed Super Shot by Fawns added pressure, but Cardwell showcased her confidence with a clutch Super Shot, fueling the Thunderbirds' attack.
With just three minutes remaining and a four-goal deficit, the Swifts faced mounting pressure. However, Housby rose to the occasion, sinking a beautiful Super Shot to narrow the gap.
Cardwell delivered once again, adding to the Thunderbirds' tally with another Super Shot, making it five in total for her.
Briony Akle called for a tactical timeout with two minutes left on the clock, hoping to regroup and mount a comeback.
In a pivotal moment, Sterling emerged victorious in a two-on-one contest, securing the ball for the Thunderbirds. However, a wayward pass gave possession back to the Swifts. Housby had a chance with a Super Shot, but missed, and although the Thunderbirds secured the rebound, they couldn't convert it into points.
Housby made amends with two quick Super Shots following a Swifts' center pass. Sterling then clinched the match-winning ball, leaving the Swifts thunderstruck and sealing a hard-fought 60-57 victory for the Thunderbirds. It was a thrilling conclusion to an exceptional match.
The Swifts have secured their position in the major semi final.
