By Sophie Taylor
A blockbuster Major Semi Final set tongues wagging on Sunday afternoon, with the Adelaide Thunderbirds downing the Melbourne Vixens (58-44) at Adelaide 36ers Arena.
Despite a hot start from the away side, the Thunderbirds rallied in the third quarter to take a commanding lead into the final break and run home from there.
Vixens head coach Di Honey pulled the strings early, starting Jo Weston in goal keeper in a move that kept the Thunderbirds guessing.
Unable to find Elmeré van der Berg with their usual ease, the Thunderbirds feeders had to chip the ball around to find the goal shooter, with Lauren Frew finding space aplenty to keep the scoreline moving.
The Vixens attack was smooth and composed at the other end, with both Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin finding the post and keeping their respective defenders out of the contest.
The Vixens’ control enabled them to take a two-goal lead (14-12) into the first break – and handing the Thunderbirds their first opening quarter loss since Round 7.
But when the Thunderbirds are backed into a corner, that’s when they start to shine.
The second quarter came up quickly, with no room for error – and that’s where the Thunderbirds capitalised.
Frew’s playmaking ability came to the forefront as van der Berg began to gain confidence, though the Vixens’ cleanliness in transition meant the pressure was on for Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Tilly Garrett.
A change in defence with Latanya Wilson moved from wing to goal defence proved crucial, though, ruining the Vixens’ flow and putting the Tbirds two goals up at half time (25-23).
The momentum swing in the back end of the second quarter continued from there, with the Thunderbirds controlling the airways to extend a match-high lead of nine goals.
And while returnee Lily Graham did her best to whittle down the margin with five Suncorp Super Shots in the final five minutes, the five-goal three quarter time margin had a Thunderbirds win all over it.
A high-pressure final quarter from the Thunderbirds had Sterling-Humphrey and Wilson celebrating before the final whistle sounded, with the 16-7 term the final nail in the coffin to claim a 2026 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final appearance.
Van der Berg’s influence in attack (51 goals) earned her player of the match accolades while Sterling-Humphrey’s 10 deflections, six gains and three intercepts were crucial in the Tbirds regaining control.
The Vixens will host next week’s Preliminary Final at John Cain Arena, hosting either the West Coast Fever or the Melbourne Mavericks who play to keep their chance from 2:00pm AWST / 4:00PM AEST.
