The Adelaide Thunderbirds had a competitive Suncorp Super Netball season in 2022 but the side was unable to capitalise consistently across four quarters.
And with the competition within the league so tight they ended the year second last on the ladder.
REVIEW
The Thunderbirds had a strong start to the season, securing two of their season’s five wins in the opening two matches against the Collingwood Magpies and GIANTS Netball.
Despite losing their next two matches to the NSW Swifts and Sunshine Coast Lightning by a single goal, the Thunderbirds were up and about playing an exciting brand of netball.
Defensively, the Thunderbirds were firing with Jamaican teammates Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson two of the best defenders in season 2022.
Sterling ended the year with a league high 52 intercepts and Wilson 31. Wilson was second in the league for deflections with 70 and Sterling close behind on 67.
With the youngest midcourt of the competition, the Thunderbirds didn't land among the best in the league in terms of stats but their midcourt continued to gel and develop combinations throughout the season.
The team's captain Hannah Petty and vice captain Maisie Nankivell led the charge.
GAMECHANGER
It’s hard to look past Shamera Sterling for game changer. As earlier mentioned, her connection with teammate Latanya Wilson and her ability to read the play had her leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.
Sterling finished the season with 1177.5 Nissan Net Points, third highest in the league and the highest score of any defender.
2022 was a stellar season for Shamera Sterling.BEST WIN
The Thunderbirds' best win of the season came in round 10 against the Queensland Firebirds. The Thunderbirds lost their last meeting in round 5 by 10 goals, however, they flipped the script in round 10 dominating the first half of the match and then limiting the Firebirds to just eight goals in the final quarter.
LOOKING FORWARD
The Thunderbirds are yet to reach their full potential in the Suncorp Super Netball League but they’re a very real chance of making the top four and going all the way next year if they can hit the court running and grind out wins in close matches. They’ve recruited well in the off-season bringing in shooting super star and England Rose Eleanor Cardwell as well as elevating South Australian goaler Lucy Austin.
TEAM STATS
Ladder position: 7th
Wins: 5
Losses: 9
Best margin: 13
PLAYER STATS
Nissan Net Points: Shamera Sterling – 1177.5
Total Goals scored: Lenize Potgieter - 351
Goal Assists: Georgie Horjus - 180
Interceptions: Shamera Sterling - 52
