2025 season review: Thunderbirds

By Stephanie Smarrelli

The Thunderbirds dynasty is over. 
 
Unable to complete a threepeat their dreams were crushed by eventual premiers the Melbourne Vixens. 

While the Thunderbirds struggled to find the momentum we’ve seen from them in previous years, they still produced a solid season. 

The side tallied eight wins before their Minor Semi Final exit. 
 
The match a seesawing affair which the Vixens controlled better in the dying moments. 
 
While the threepeat wasn’t to be, there’s no doubt the TBirds will use that hunger to spark them in 2026.  
 

BEST WIN 

Round 14. 
 
At home in Adelaide, fighting for a spot in finals against a team doing the same. 

The Thunderbirds knew what was at stake. 

 
They clashed with Lightning in a match worthy of a Grand Final. Both teams fought tooth and nail for the win, but it was the TBirds who prevailed. 

A mere four points locked them into the pointy end of the season. 
 
Tilly Garrett was on fire with six gains, four intercepts and six deflections, crucial in the side’s victory. 
 
The TBirds finished the match with 15 gains compared to Lightning’s eight converting 10 of them to have the upper hand. 

But it was a seven-goal blitz in the second quarter which set up their victory.  
 
Hannah Petty led the charge from the midcourt while Romelda Aiken-George and Lauren Frew did their job in attack.  

Lightning were unable to take back the lead once the TBirds found their rhythm. 

It was a thrilling conclusion with Lightning scoring six of the last 10 goals but the TBirds stood tall even as the pressure mounted.  

MVP 

It has to be Latanya Wilson. 

When news of Shamera Sterling-Humphrey's pregnancy first broke, questions instantly arose whether the Thunderbirds defence would still be lethal. 

Latanya Wilson and Garrett quickly put those questions to bed. 

One of the best players in the league, Wilson took her game to new heights.   
 
She topped the league with the most intercepts (40) and deflections (95). Her closest competition Sarah Klau finished the season with 23 intercepts and 68 deflections. 

A force to be reckoned with, Wilson averaged 73 Net Points a game, swinging between wing defence, goal defence and goal keeper. 

2026 
 
Connection will be key for the Thunderbirds in 2026. 
 
While they tallied a lot of intercepts in 2025, they were also the biggest culprit in the league when it came to their own passes being intercepted. 

A total of 89 passes were cut off by their opposition with the next worst team coming in at 79.  

They’ll have a few changes to work through before the new season but the good news for TBirds fans, is there’s only two who haven’t experienced life at the club. 

Elmere van der Berg will slot into the shooting end following the retirement of Romelda Aiken-George and departure of Lucy Austin. 

The South African is an exciting addition to the lineup having been 2025’s leading goal scorer in the UK’s Netball Super League. 

Speaking of retirements, TBirds captain Hannah Petty shocked everyone when she announced she was moving away from the sport. 

But TBirds fans don’t have to worry with young gun Sophie Casey elevated into the team and New Zealand Silver Fern Kate Heffernan crossing the ditch. 
 
Heffernan brings a wealth of experience, leadership skills and the versatility to swing into both centre and wing defence. 

While Casey took to the court throughout 2025 and proved she’s ready to take the next step.