Live stream: Ipswich Jets v Sunshine Coast Thunder HART Sapphire, Ruby clash to open double header weekend (Sapphire Series & Ruby Series)

Seventeen-year-old goalshooter Elsa sif Sandholt scored 41 goals from 43 attempts as the Sapphire Series leaders stayed perfect. Relive all the action from the double header.

Elsa sif Sandholt missed her first shot but scored 42 times from her next 43 attempts as Sapphire Series leaders, the Ipswich Jets, proved too strong for Sunshine Coast Thunder on Saturday night.

The 17-year-old goalshooter proved unstoppable as the Jets built a big lead by halftime and continued the momentum in the third quarter, extending their advantage to 14 goals.

The Thunder took the final quarter honours 13-12 but it hardly put a dent in the Jets’ dominance as they took the game 56-43.

ROUND 5: Catch the Sunshine Coast Thunder v Bond Uni Bullsharks doubleheader

WATCH THE REPLAY ABOVE

TAE Aerospace Jets v Sunshine Coast Thunder (Ruby)

A quick start proved decisive as Ipswich Jets powered to a 13-goal victory over Sunshine Coast Thunder in an entertaining Ruby Series contest.

The Jets sprinted out to a 7-1 lead before the Thunder knew what had hit them and had extended their advantage to eight goals - 19-11 - by quarter time.

The Thunder worked their way nicely back into the game and closed to within four goals - 30-26 - at halftime, but they couldn’t get any closer.

The Jets regained their momentum in the final quarter to pull away for a 65-53 victory.

PREVIEW

It’s the first double header weekend of the 2023 Sapphire and Ruby Series and it all kicks off with the TAE Aerospace Jets taking on the Sunshine Coast Thunder at Nissan Arena on Saturday.

First faces fourth in the main event that features two of the best young netball talents in Queensland - 17-year-olds Elsa sif Sandholt and Jada Delaney. See more on that match-up below.

The Ruby action will start at 4pm, when a win-starved Thunder chase down their first points of the season, while the Jets look to keep their undefeated streak alive. See the full schedule below.

All you need to know: Sapphire Series Jets v Thunder

With two big wins and a bye, the Ipswich Jets certainly come into round four firing.

But head coach Paula Stuart is refusing to get ahead of herself.

“Even though Thunder and Cougars had losses last week, I still consider them the top teams in the competition,” she said.

“I think we’ve got the toughest game of the round.”

Thunder’s Baylee Boyd will be playing in the Ruby Series.

With Hulita Veve potentially out for both games, Stuart will be looking to the Ruby team to fill her centre court gaps.

“It will be an easy transition for them and great experience,” she said.

“We’ve done a lot of condition this week, working on mental fatigue.”

Defence player Danielle Taylor received an MRI on Wednesday morning following a knee injury scare in last week’s match against Bond University Bullsharks, and physiotherapists seem confident she will be play.

On the opposition bench, Thunder, while knowing they face a tough task, are staying positive.

Head coach Simone Nalatu said the disruptions last week due to illness, and the Suncorp Super Netball, will not impact this week’s game.

“We obviously had a rocky one last week with a lot of player movement due to a range of factors,” Nalatu said.

“It was good to get together as a group again at Tuesday’s training.

“We are looking forward to having our normal line-up.”

Sitting in fourth place after two losses and an upset win over the Brisbane South Wildcats in round three, the Sunshine Coast side will need to put their best foot forward if they want to remain in the top four.

With both the Tigers and Wildcats on their tail, their ladder position hangs in the balance.

KEY MATCH-UP

Jets goalshooter Elsa Sif Sandholt.

Jada Delaney rises above the pack.

Elsa sif Sandholt (Jets) v Jada Delaney (Thunder)

The much-anticipated showdown between teenagers Sandholt and Delaney will be a true indication of the talent making its way through HSS ranks.

The pair were named in the U17 and U19 Australian Pathway Squads respectively following stunning performances at the 2023 National Netball Championships in April.

With Sandholt in at goal shooter and Delaney donning the goal keeper bib, the two are set to clash during Saturday’s game, and we know it will be a cracker.

What’s more, Sandholt will be paired up with either Naomi Solomona or Maddie Grant, making it a difficult mission for the Thunder defensive circle.

With Hulita Veve out due to Firebirds commitments, it will be up to Brianna Martyn to shut down Jets’ centre and eliminate the easy feeds to Sandholt.

PLAYER TO WATCH

After a showstopping performance in last week’s game against the Wildcats, centre court player Brianna Martyn is on our radar as one to shine in round four.

Thunder coach Nalatu said she expects Martyn to back up her skills when they take on Jets.

“She had a great game last week, despite our loss, and ran in centre for the whole game, which she has not had to do before,” she said.

Kirra Tappenden will have a big role to play on Saturday.

Ruby: Jets v Thunder 4pm

The Thunder line-up will look to turn things around as they shake off their third straight loss.

The side had their closest game yet against Wildcats, going down by just nine points.

But it will be a hard ask for the girls to hold off Jets, who are currently sitting second on the ladder.

Queensland U17 representatives Ellie Brice and Kirra Tappenden, who were both named in the Australian Development Squad, will need to step up and match the court maturity of the Jets’ experienced line-up.