Tbirds eye back-to-back titles

By Matt Fotia 

Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst says the 2023 premiers will keep focusing on their own processes ahead of a mouth-watering 2024 finals campaign. 

The Thunderbirds soared into top spot on the Suncorp Super Netball ladder with a comprehensive 12 goal win over the NSW Swifts, overtaking the Melbourne Vixens, who went down by one goal to the West Coast Fever. 

Obst was keen to emphasise the Thunderbirds focus on hitting their markers against the Swifts but was happy her sides stellar form had received some recognition. 

“It’s reward for effort,” Obst said. 

“We’ve not been keeping too much of an eye on it (the ladder), it’s more about what we want to be doing. 

“It’s about us getting our processes right, because we know we’re in finals and we know we need to be able to play in all different environments and today’s environment was finals like for us.” 

The Thunderbirds were in control of the game against the Swifts from the first whistle, showing their class during the third quarter in particular, which reflected on the stats sheet. 

Adelaide’s players racked up 152 Nissan Net Points in the third quarter to the Swifts 37, had a 100% turnover to goal ratio and converted 85% of their centre passes into goals in a 17-10 third term, which included an 11-2 run. 

Obst said her side played some of its best netball of the year, before drifting in the final quarter. 

“For about the first ten minutes (of the third quarter) it was some of the best netball we’ve played all season,” she said. 

“In the last quarter we started to allow the environment to take a little bit of control. 

“It was good to experience, and we come away winning three quarters, so we’re pretty happy.” 

The Thunderbirds finish their home and away campaign with a home fixture against the Sunshine Coast Lightning, who must better the Melbourne Mavericks result to be assured of finals netball. 

Obst was quick to point out the threat posed by the Lightning, who put the Firebirds to the sword on Saturday night. 

“Every game is a danger game,” Obst said of the round 14 fixture. 

“We really need to keep the focus on us as a team and what we want to be doing. 

“When we played Lightning back in Round 3 it was a really interesting up and down game. 

“We’re playing different and I’d daresay the Lightning are. 

“They looked pretty sharp last night, the little bit I did see of them, but you know we’ll enjoy bringing them into our environment and see we can be ready to do whatever it is we need to do.” 

Adelaide finished the 2023 regular season in second spot on the ladder, but with a heavy underdog tag, something they do not own in 2024. 

Obst said while the Thunderbirds take confidence from their finals exploits last season, their 2024 campaign is an entirely different entity. 

“Knowing we’ve been there and done it brings a belief amongst the team,” she said. 

“Last year we were winning games on the edge of our seat.  

“(This year) we’ve been a little bit more consistent with what we’re putting out there and being able to build scores. 

“What happened last year was fantastic, this year has been different, it’s about this 11 and our training partners and what we’re going to do in this next month.”