The Adelaide Thunderbirds have responded to a rocket from coach Tania Obst to jet to the top of the Super Netball ladder with a gutsy 54-50 win over the Giants at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Key points:
- Adelaide Thunderbirds have the lead on the Super Netball table after a 54-50 win over the Giants
- The Thunderbirds overtook West Coast Fever with their seventh win of the year, while the Queensland Firebirds beat Collingwood 73-67
- The Fever could retake top spot if they defeat Melbourne Vixens on Sunday
The Thunderbirds saw their eight-goal lead at one point in the second quarter disappear during an error-strewn third term on Saturday night.
They recovered strongly in the fourth, however, to steal first place from West Coast Fever, who can pinch it back with victory against the NSW Swifts on Sunday.
Georgie Horjus was an ever-present threat at wing attack, captain Hannah Petty injected much-needed second-half life when promoted off the bench and Shamera Sterling slowly but surely had Giants skipper Jo Harten’s measure.
“We started really well, converting off our gains, then we started throwing a few balls away,” Horjus said.
“We find it really hard to play in front of the Giants’ crowd.
“We’re really happy we could finish it off in the end.”
An 11-2 spree either side of quarter time saw the Thunderbirds break apart an early stalemate and sprint ahead by eight goals.
Lauren Moore and April Brandley lifted the defensive resolve of the Giants who began chipping away at the deficit in the second period.
The Giants then started the third stanza with a 5-0 bang, prompting Obst to call a time-out and deliver some home truths.
“We look like we don’t even want to be out there,” she said angrily.
“We’re actually winning this game — so look like winners.
“Get involved!”
Obst had every right to be upset.
Adelaide fell apart in that quarter, missing six shots, throwing away eight turnovers and amassing a whopping 27 penalties to be outscored 13-9 as the Giants eased ahead by one at three-quarter time.
But the T’birds showed why they are regarded as one of this season’s prime title contenders by flipping the script with a 14-9 fourth term.
Harten and Sophie Dwyer lost their radar in attack as the Giants missed five of their last seven shots over the last five minutes in the face of Adelaide’s relentless defence, led as always by Sterling.
Firebirds’ win over Magpies kickstarts season
In the other game of the day, the Queensland Firebirds breathed life into their campaign with a gritty 73-67 win against Collingwood in Brisbane.
Without injured midcourt star Macy Gardner (fractured wrist), several Firebirds stepped up on Saturday, especially during the match-clinching 19-12 third quarter which effectively sealed the Magpies’ fourth successive defeat.
Lara Dunkley was magnificent at wing attack, Donnell Wallam and Emily Moore potent in the circle and 2016 championship winner Hueta Veve, plucked from obscurity as an injury replacement for Gardner, impressed in the second half when injected into the centre.
“We’re really happy to get the win,” Moore said.
“We knew we had to play a full 60 minutes against a side like the Magpies.
“It’s always unfortunate circumstances when someone (Gardner) goes down with an injury.
“In those circumstances somebody gets an opportunity to step up and Hueta did that today.”
Wallam led the early assault for the Firebirds who skipped ahead 6-1 and was unstoppable after half-time as the home side wrestled control of the contest.
Collingwood awoke from their early slumber, responding with a 5-0 burst and drawing level 15-15 at quarter time.
Shimona Nelson buried all 18 of her shot attempts in a high-octane, goal-for-goal second stanza as the Pies looked to be slowly gaining the upper hand.
Sophie Garbin’s super shot in the dying moments of the half was followed by Nelson’s goal on the buzzer to give Collingwood a 37-35 lead.
Wallam went one better than Nelson, nailing 19 goals without a miss in the third, working in perfect unison with Moore, who had 12 assists from 12 feeds as the Firebirds got the match on their terms, pulling away 63-57 at three-quarter time.
Wallam continued to dominate with another 18 goals without a blemish in the fourth as Queensland’s surprise packet Veve got to work in the middle and Collingwood, who racked up penalties and turnovers at the wrong moments, ultimately had no answers.
AAP
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