Thunderbirds fans pack out the Arkaba watch party

Adelaide’s Arkaba Hotel was packed with Thunderbirds fans as they broke their 10 year grand final drought in a nailbiter – and you can join the celebrations by downloading our souvenir poster.

Thunderbirds fans celebrate their team’s heart-stopping victory.

It was a packed house at the Arkaba Hotel on Saturday night as Adelaide Thunderbirds fans swarmed in to cheer their team on as they conquered the NSW Swifts in the 2023 Super Netball grand final.

Supporters watched from afar as their team took on the Swifts at John Cain Arena in Melbourne for the thrilling season decider.

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Mother and father, Rick and Fiona Pfeiffer were there with their two daughters, Miranda, 11 and Michaelle, 15, who are diehard supporters of the T-Birds said the atmosphere was “electric”.

READ MORE: Drought over: Adelaide crowned champs in extra time epic

Daughter, Michaelle told the Sunday Mail that the team making it to the big game was very inspiring for young fans.

“I’m a massive, massive, massive netball fan … it’s changed my life and I can’t believe how much these girls inspire me to be a great netball person and person overall,” she said.

“Me and dad were here two weeks ago for the semi-final. There weren’t as many people but oh my god we were screaming so much.”

Fans react to their team’s last minute victory.

Amy Little, and Paddy Little watch the tight contest. Picture: Ben Clark

Saturday night was the first grand final game the Thunderbirds have played in since 2013, when they beat the Queensland Firebirds at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre by two points, scoring 50-48.

Her father Rick said the family have been members for around many years and that they attended all the home games throughout the season.

“We’re like the Thunderbirds … we never surrender … we never give up and that's the secret to professional sport,” he said.

Kids from the Highgate School Netball team, at the Official T-Bird Adelaide Function at the Arkaba. Picture: Ben Clark

Miranda Pfeiffer, Fiona Pfeiffer, Rick Pfeiffer and Michaelle Pfeiffer at the Official T-Bird Adelaide Function. Picture: Ben Clark

Meanwhile Eliza Cole and her three daughters, Kiesrsten, 13, Zara, 12 and Evie, 7 travelled over from Mount Gambier to catch up with family but have been supporters and involved with the T-Birds “forever“.

“Whenever we’re up here we try to go to the games and the girls do the Thunderbirds Academy,” she said.

Ms Cole said she was looking forward to next year’s final already and that if the Thunderbirds made the cut, she would try and score tickets for the kids.