Live stream: Jada Delaney v Chloe Bingham showdown highlights big Thunder v Tigers Sapphire Series clash

The Thunder have shortened the distance between themselves and the top four on the back of a Sapphire Series boilover. Watch the REPLAY of their classic clash against the Tigers.

The Thunder have caused a major Sapphire Series upset in what could be a contender for game of the season against Carina Tigers.

The Sunshine Coast side came alive in the final quarter to down the Tigers 49-45 at the end.

Despite missing standout shooter Annika Lee-Jones through injury, the Thunder found enough in reserve to overcome a determined Tigers side.

WATCH THE SAPPHIRE SERIES REPLAY ABOVE, SCROLL DOWN FOR THE RUBY SERIES REPLAY

Both sides traded the lead throughout the clash, with the Tigers leading by as many as three goals late in the third term, and looking like running away with the contest.

But it was Thunder goal keeper Bridey Condren, who had earlier come from the court through injury, who gritted her teeth and got her side to the finish line.

Condren imposed her side on the Tigers attack in the final term and put the defensive circle on lockdown as the Thunder extended their lead to as many as nine goals in the final stretch.

Tigers goaler Chloe Bingham, who had been influential in their mid-game fight back, spent majority of the final quarter on the bench, with a fresh injury concern hanging over the star attacker.

Tigers centre Maddi Ridley did all she could to keep her side in the contest and was key to the Tigers swinging the momentum in their favour throughout the third term.

The Tigers maintained their perch atop the Ruby Series ladder with a dominant 10-goal win over the Thunder.

REPLAYS

Sunshine Coast Thunder v Carina Leagues Club Tigers (Ruby Series)

Preview: Battle for the top four heats up on the road to finals

Six games out from the Sapphire Series finals and the battle for fourth place is certainly heating up.

The Titans and Jets looked to have the top spots secured while the Cougars are in the box seat for third place. But that last spot, well, that’s very much up for grabs.

Catch every moment of the Ruby Series and Sapphire Series action LIVE between Carina League Club Tigers and Sunshine Coast Thunder as KommunityTV bring you both games from 4pm. See the full schedule below.

It’s a big weekend for the Tigers and the Thunder.

Tigers, who are the incumbents, are one of the form teams in the league at the moment. They beat leaders, the Jets, in a thriller before edging out the Bullsharks leading into a bye.

Plus they have one of the stars of the competition so far in Maddi Ridley. See the player to watch below.

Fifth-placed Thunder, on the other hand, haven’t tasted victory since round five and are four points behind, but they do have the promising 17-year-old Jada Delaney in their ranks. See the top match-up below.

If Thunder gain the upper hand, their goal percentage will see them shoot ahead and leave Tigers scrambling to make the finals cut.

The same cannot be said for the Ruby sides.

After eight rounds, the Tigers are outright leaders while Thunder spectate from seventh with only one win under their belt.

Will this week be another Tigers domination, or will Thunder do the unexpected and knock them off?

MATCH-UP

Rising star Jada Delaney.

Jada Delaney (Thunder) v Chloe Bingham (Tigers)

Delaney is the latest of Netball Queensland’s prodigies and was recently named in the Youth Commonwealth Games fast5 netball squad.

Following her performance for the Queensland U17 side at the 2023 National Netball Championships, Delaney was selected into the 2023/24 Australian Development squad.

She has been a standout in her Sapphire Series Thunder team this year, despite being one of the youngest (17) to take the court.

Despite playing at such a high level, no opposition has proven too much for the young gun, much to the approval of head coach Simone Natalu.

Bingham, meanwhile, has been around the courts for years, and moved from Thunder for the 2023 season while her older sister, Josie, plays for Titans.

She is a prime feeding target for the Tigers’ shooting circle.

A strong holding goal shooter with accurate stats to back her, Bingham has proved a worthy recruit for the East Brisbane side, who this year have tasted steady top four glory for the first time since the competition’s inception in 2019.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Maddi Ridley (Tigers)

Watch out Thunder, Ridley is in the house.

The dynamic star moved to the Gold Coast from Victoria in 2021 to represent the Bond University Bull Sharks Sapphire side, but an early ACL rupture cut her season short.

In 2022, she moved to Jets for one season before finding home with the Tigers for 2023.

Formerly a goal defence, Ridley recently adapted to be a wing defence and centre specialist, with a clear height advantage.

It’s no wonder Maddi, and older brother Jordan (Essendon AFL star) are unstoppable in their fields.

This week, Ridley will go up against Brianna Martyn, who is a powerhouse through the Sunny Coast centre court.

While the Tiger wins in height, both girls have extensive experience from Netball Australia pathways: Ridley down in Victoria, Martyn a maroon through and through.

Originally published as Live stream: Jada Delaney v Chloe Bingham showdown highlights big Thunder v Tigers Sapphire Series clash