After winning two titles this decade, we’ve named our best Adelaide Thunderbirds team of the past 10 years
Adelaide Thunderbirds won two flags in the past 10 years and have had a raft of big names play for the club. Just who has earned a spot in our Team of the Decade?
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The early years of the past decade were loaded with good times for Adelaide Thunderbirds.
There was the premiership glory in 2010 and 2013 when the star-studded team reigned supreme in the now defunct trans-Tasman league.
This was a feared club and the trip to Adelaide was among the most daunting netball challenges for rival sides.
However, those inspiring grand final triumphs in front of 10,000 fans at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre are distant memories as the club lunges from one disappointing season to another.
A raft of the world’s greatest players have made the Thunderbirds their home and as the 2010s comes to a close, just who are the most impressive names to have represented the club in the past decade?
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Jane Woodlands-Thompson, who took the Thunderbirds to the two flags, is the obvious choice as coach of our team.
But which seven players deserve a spot in the all-star line-up?
It should come as no surprise, each player we have selected has a premiership medal.
CARLA BORREGO (GOAL SHOOTER)
Born in Jamaica, the gun shooter was plucked from Florida where she had a college scholarship playing basketball to become a fan favourite with the Thunderbirds.
She was athletic, strong under the post, and reliable.
And she was crucial in the two grand final wins.
ERIN BELL (GOAL ATTACK)
What a great story.
Bell sat on the bench for the NSW Swifts for five years, before making the move to Adelaide where her game thrived.
So much so she was elevated to the Diamonds and earned World Championship gold in 2011 and 2015.
Formed a terrific goal circle partnership with Carla Borrego and was a dual premiership player who captained the side in 2016-17.
EMILY BEATON (WING ATTACK)
The midcourter was a tall wing attack and that proved a valuable asset.
The only Thunderbird to play through the entire trans-Tasman competition and played in both premierships.
Proved a reliable link into the goal circle and formed a highly productive combination with Carla Borrego.
NAT VON BERTOUCH (CENTRE, CAPTAIN)
The obvious choice, given she led the club to two premierships and captained the Diamonds. The relentless midcourter is among the most respected and admired players to have fronted for the club.
Led by example on the court and was extremely reliable.
RENAE INGLES (WING DEFENCE)
Mention specialist wing defences and there are few better than Ingles.
A fitness fanatic, she made life difficult for wing attacks with her amazing work rate.
Played in the 2013 grand final triumph, as well as captained the club.
MO’ONIA GERRARD (GOAL DEFENCE)
A tenacious and gifted defender who never took a sideways step.
A member of the 2010 premiership side, Gerrard played with a free spirit and defined the new-age running GD.
SHARNI LAYTON (GOAL KEEPER)
The flamboyant defender had four seasons with the Thunderbirds and won two flags, as well as captained the club.
Won two World Cup gold medals with the Diamonds.
JANE WOODLANDS-THOMPSON (COACH)
The Thunderbirds won two premierships in the past decade and Woodlands-Thompson was at the helm both times.
Among the most astute coaches in the world and the obvious choice.
