By Madeline Irwin
In what should have been a blockbuster Friday night clash between two top four sides, the Adelaide Thunderbirds put on a dominant display with a 20-goal win over the West Coast Fever.
The Thunderbirds made their opponents look second-rate throughout the contest despite a close start to the match.
Adelaide and West Coast went goal for goal to open the game, however despite some scratchy passes early, the visitors settled to go ahead of the Fever by three goals at quarter time.
The game was decided in the middle portion of the game, the Fever scoring only seven goals in the second quarter, while conceding 19 in the third.
The Fever lost the contest due to their lack of cleanliness with the ball, but also their penalty count. West Coast doubled (16 to eight), the Thunderbirds' general play turnovers, while producing 22 more penalties throughout the match.
Both sides had plenty of motivation ahead of the game, with league legend Romelda Aiken-George equalling the record for most league games played (254), the record held by Australian great Cath Cox.
She had great impact for her team, although was inaccurate at the post scoring 31 goals at 78 per cent. What was impressive about Aiken-George's game was her Suncorp Super Shot scoring, managing to shoot three in the encounter.
The Thunderbirds co-captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey was celebrating her 100th game, across her eight seasons in pink.
She was in great touch against the Fever, netting 11 deflections and an intercept.
The Fever will be better off in the coming weeks, after getting in their first game with their contracted ten players after nine rounds. They welcomed Alice Teague-Neeld to their gameday squad after overcoming back soreness.
Teague-Neeld, when introduced into the game, was highly effective, notching up seven goal assists, 12 centre pass receives and 17 feeds as a real presence on court.
Zoe Cransberg held her own through the midcourt, finishing with 35 feeds and 14 goal assists.
Fran Williams had a solid first half, contributing one intercept and two deflections, while producing turnovers down the court for the Fever.
This season, the Thunderbirds have fielded a full-strength side every game, unlike the Fever, however there was a fresh concern for Tayla Williams who had a knee complaint during the first quarter.
She did not return and play out the game, however when asked during the game coach Tania Obst it was not a big concern and given the lead the team had, it was wise to manage her through the remainder of the fixture.
Williams started the game in wing attack, allowing Georgie Horjus to take goal attack to partner for the first time in the starting line-up with Elmeré van der Berg.
Receiving the Player of the Match award, van der Berg had another night to remember. Shooting 57 goals at 93 per cent efficiency, she has been a dependable force for Obst's attack over the nine rounds so far.
Horjus (one goal, 22 goal assists, 20 centre pass receives and 29 feeds) had another industrious performance to keep Jess Anstiss busy.
While Kate Heffernan (21 goal assists and 26 feeds) and Lauren Frew (four goals, 13 goal assists and 16 feeds) both had a heavy hand in feeding the Thunderbirds' hot hand van der Berg.
The Fever will look to rebound against the Swifts at home, while the Thunderbirds look to host the Mavericks to end Round Ten.
