The visitors clinched a maximum eight points to take their season total to 21 points, with Nissan MVP Mwai Kumwenda in sparkling form from the field with 47/47.
It was an important match for both sides for different reasons. Adelaide was desperately fighting for their first points of the season, while victory gave the Vixens a chance of cementing their spot in the top four.
What the scoreline didn’t reflect was the improvement the Thunderbirds showed in this match. An almost entirely revamped roster, that includes several young rising stars, was always going to take time to gel.
At times, the Thunderbirds were slick and dominant across the entire court. But the lapses were extremely costly, with the visitors able to peel off several goal-scoring runs which kept Adelaide out of the contest.
Kate Shimmin was given her chance at goalkeeper position for the Thunderbirds after Fiona Fowler copped a knock in training during the week, ruling her out of the game. The Adelaide-born Shimmin spent last season with the Queensland Firebirds, but returned home for Suncorp Super Netball Season 2.
The early signs weren’t good for the winless Thunderbirds as the Vixens opened up a 5-2 lead, but the home crowd helped ignite their team who came roaring back quickly.
Midway through the first quarter, Adelaide was sitting just one goal in arrears as they took the challenge up to last season’s minor premiers.
The Vixens managed to control possession which in turn led to goals, with the visitors winning the first bonus point with a 17-10 lead at the end of first quarter.
Turnovers continued to hurt the Thunderbirds as their possession dropped to almost 40 per cent, the Vixens were able to push the lead out to 22-13.
And Melbourne ultimately claimed the quarter win and their second bonus point, going into the main break leading 36-22.
The Thunderbirds made big changes to stem the flow, with Chelsea Pitman going to the bench, Bongi Msomi moving from centre to wing attack and substitute Hannah Petty coming in at centre.
They scrapped hard for their first bonus point of the season, but the scoreline blew out at the end of the third quarter and the Vixens were able to complete a big win in Adelaide.
Q1: Thunderbirds 10 v Vixens 17
Q2: Thunderbirds 12 v Vixens 19
Q3: Thunderbirds 12 v Vixens 17
Q4: Thunderbirds 16 v Vixens 19
Suncorp Super Netball premiership points
Vixens 8
Thunderbirds 0
Thunderbirds shooting statistics
Shimona Nelson 37/41
Charlee Hodges 13/15
Vixens shooting statistics
Mwai Kumwenda 47/47
Tegan Philip 25/27
Thunderbirds Starting Seven
GS: Shimona Nelson, GA: Charlee Hodges, WA: Chelsea Pitman, C: Bongi Msomi, WD: Kaitlyn Bryce, GD: Leana de Bruin, GK: Kate Shimmin
Vixens Starting Seven
GS: Mwai Kumwenda, GA: Tegan Philip, WA: Liz Watson, C: Kate Moloney, WD: Chloe Watson, GD: Jo Weston, GK: Emily Mannix
Nissan MVP: Mwai Kumwenda
