The Adelaide Thunderbirds notched a comfortable win over the Collingwood Magpies on Sunday, giving the side reason to dream.
Adelaide Thunderbirds kept in the hunt for the Super Netball finals with a convincing 62-54 triumph over Collingwood Magpies in Mile End on Sunday.
The Thunderbirds grabbed control in the second quarter and forced the Magpies into catch up mode for much of the contest.
The victory enabled the Thunderbirds to climb to equal with the Magpies on the ladder, only a game behind fourth-placed West Coast Fever. The Fever have a game in hand, however.
“I thought we had control for the majority of the match,” Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst said. “A focus at training has been reminding ourselves of the netball we had been putting out there and we did that for the majority of the game.”
The Magpies punished the Thunderbirds for early mistakes and escaped to a five-goal advantage, before the home side responded.
Two late two-point super shots from Georgie Horjus enabled the Thunderbirds to grab the lead at quarter-time and they upped the ante in the second.
Outstanding defensive pressure from the home side forced turnover ball from the Magpies, who revamped their line-up seeking answers. Ash Brazill was switched to centre, while the Thunderbirds opted to introduce Elle McDonald into the midcourt.
The Magpies’ attack end struggled against the relentless pressure from the Thunderbirds, who were able to capitalise to apply scoreboard pressure.
Obst praised the brilliance of goal keeper Shamera Sterling, especially in the third quarter when the Jamaican gun secured a string of intercepts with her crafty reading of the play.
“Shamera was brilliant in critical moments,” Obst said.
“In the third quarter, she was turning the ball back for us when we were giving it up too easily in the forward line.
“This is my third year with Shamera and I’m enjoying the leadership she is developing.”
Despite the massive impact from Sterling, her efforts often were wasted at the other end of the court. Although both teams were guilty of failing to take advantage of their turnover opportunities.
The Magpies threatened to take the points from the Thunderbirds when they closed to within two goals in the third period, only to cough up errors and allow their opponents to regain control.
“We won enough ball, but unfortunately were not in a position to convert,” Magpies coach Nicole Richardson said.
“Our long court conversion was not where it needed to be.
“We got too wide bringing the ball down court and played into Adelaide’s hands in throwing too many cross court balls.
“We were not playing smart netball against a team which likes to hunt.”
Battle of the birds
The Adelaide Thunderbirds are optimistic their clash against Queensland Firebirds will go ahead as scheduled in Mile End on Sunday.
Seven of the Super Netball teams are based in Melbourne because of COVID-19 with the Thunderbirds being the exception.
They were cleared to play Collingwood Magpies in front of a 75 per cent capacity crowd at their Adelaide home on Sunday and are hopeful they can remain in their “own beds” this week.
“It was a crazy week,” Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst said.
“On Wednesday, we were on a plane, off a plane, back on the plane.
“It is the world we are living in and we are controlling what we can. If we are home we can sleep in our own beds and train in our environment.
“Hopefully we are playing the Firebirds at home this week.”
The Thunderbirds beat the Magpies to join them a game outside the top four on the ladder, but Obst said tardy starts continued to be an issue for the side.
She also believes the side must become more accomplished at punishing sides on the scoreboard when they secure a handy buffer.
“We have to look at our starts of games,” Obst said.
“The second quarter was brilliant, but every team will come back at us.
“It is about stopping that flow and pushing on, that is the biggest learning for this group.”
Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petty was replaced for the third quarter after copping a corked thigh, only to return to the court for the final period.
Obst is confident she will be fit to front the Firebirds.
Magpies coach Nicole Richardson acknowledged the result as disappointing considering her side had the chance to make a significant push for a top four spot.
“If you want to stay in touch with the top four you have to make sure you execute,” she said. “The season is that close and the team which brings its A game gets the result and Adelaide did that.”