Super Netball, round 1 news, scores: Thunderbirds smash Vixens in season opener
Thunderbirds quashed any questions of their chances of going for a three-peat with a demolition of the Vixens, as the Lightning overcame the Mavericks.
Adelaide Thunderbirds have quashed any questions of their chances of going for a three-peat, demolishing the Melbourne Vixens in the 2025 Super Netball season opener to the tune of 13 goals.
The grand final rematch was a far cry from the close encounter in which the Thunderbirds eventually won their back-to-back titles.
The Vixens started on the back foot and could never catch up despite various changes through the court that didn’t provide too many solutions.
Despite a lead-up marred with injury issues, with Romelda Aiken-George and Sterling-Humphrey only declared fit days beforehand, both showed no signs of concern and dominated the game with 33 from 35 for Aiken-George and a game high six gains from Sterling-Humphrey.
The physicality from both sides didn’t take long to erupt, with both Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Rudi Ellis getting a talking to from the umpires in the first half.
The latter was eventually benched for debutant Maggie Caris in an effort to try and lessen the penalty count and give the Vixens a chance at winning some clean ball.
Caris initially caused some disruption for the Thunderbirds, but it didn’t take long for the experience of Aiken-George to shine through, as the match’s highest scorer finished with the MVP award.
Kiera Austin demanded more intensity from her team – “We are being way too soft out there, we need to rip it in” – as the lead kept extending through the second quarter.
Austin was well and truly doing her part, contributing six super shots to the scoreboard.
Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petty, typically an impact player, earned a rare start at centre, and delivered a sublime performance.
In true mongrel fashion, she led the game for pickups with three and forced Vixens captain Kate Moloney to the bench, a rare sight for the veteran.
Young Vixens shooter Lily Graham played a key role in stopping the scoreline blowing out.
Her injection in the third quarter added much needed movement to the goal circle.
In just her seventh national league match, the 19-year-old played with confidence and poise while reducing Sterling-Humphrey’s impact.
She contributed 11/13 goals, including 3/5 super shots.
Kate Eddy and Jo Weston were strong in defence for the Vixens, reeling in five and four gains respectively but it wasn’t enough to inspire the team as the attack end crumbled against the pressure of the Jamaican defenders.
TEAM GIRL CURSE
The Adelaide Thunderbirds continued their winning ways at the Team Girls Cup Tournament, but has it come at a price?
No team that has won the pre-season hit out has gone on to lift the trophy.
Will this hoo-doo be what derails the Thunderbirds as they look to be the first team to manage a three-peat?
WONDERFUL WILLIAMS
Thunderbirds mid-courter Tayla Williams earned her 50th National League Cap in the side’s win over the Melbourne Vixens.
She has become one of the most consistent mid-courters in the league with this game being no different, providing dynamic movements in attack and strong defensive pressure that created opportunities for her teammates.
LIGHTNING THE ENTERTAINERS IN WIN OVER MAVS
- by Jenny Sinclair
Sunshine Coast Lightning have lived up to their billing as one of the Super Netball teams to watch in 2025, with their first ever defeat of the Melbourne Mavericks.
With both sides battling injury to key personnel, Lightning gradually squeezed out a lead to prevail by ten points.
Despite a decimated midcourt missing Ava Black - out for the season with an anterior cruciate injury - and lively centre Leesa Mi Mi, Lightning’s experienced players muscled them to victory, 69 to 59.
However, the result spoiled Sasha Glasgow’s redemption story, as she made her long-awaited Mavericks’ debut in front of over 3800 fans, after a horrific injury struck her out of the 2024 season.
“It was always going to be a tough one for her,” said coach Tracey Neville. “All the team was absolutely behind her. She came in and out of the game, that’s something we expect, but she’ll grow on that.”
There were some nervous shooting wobbles early on, as both sides took some time to settle into match rhythm, going goal for goal for most of the first half.
With the defenders also slow to find their timing, the Mavericks’ Shimona Jok and Lightning’s surprise starter at goal attack, Cara Koenen, used the opportunity to put up plenty of shots. Jok topscored with 37 points, while Koenen kept her side’s score ticking over with 23.
However, with her limitations on putting up supershots, Koenen admitted that her place in the side is under threat, as the Australian shooter finished with just 29 minutes of court time.
Playing in her 150th domestic league match, Lightning star Liz Watson was instrumental in supplying her shooting circle.
Mavericks defender Maisie Nankivell tried in vain to slow the Australian captain but the veteran used her enviable court smarts and superior strength to find the circle and put in 44 feeds.
With crisp attacking play making life difficult for defenders from both sides, penalties crept up as players threw themselves at the ball.
Bodies hit the floorboards right the way down the court, none more so than Amy Parmenter, who was a livewire at centre and later wing defence.
The Mavericks’ captain pulled in four intercepts, but with Lightning refusing to relinquish their lead, it wasn’t enough to drag her side over the line.
Watson said her side had been expecting a physical contest from the Mavericks.
“They are such a strong, physical team we knew we were going to get bumped and hit, and we just had to stand up to the contest. I was so proud we didn’t shy away from that because the old Lightning probably would have taken a few quarters to get into the groove, be dominant out there and not let the opposition run over the top of us.”
Lightning’s towering defensive unit was bolstered by Kristiana Manu’a, who made the move north a mere three weeks ago as an injury replacement player. Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds said during the game that the Samoan captain, a recent training partner with Mavericks, had some useful insights preparing for the matchup.
Uneeq Palavi also debuted for Mavericks, filling the gaping hole left by injured English shooting star, Eleanor Cardwell. The Tongan goaler rolled onto the court during supershot periods, and her five two-pointers almost changed the course of the game. However it was Lightning shooter Steph Fretwell who was awarded MVP for her 16/19 including six from eight super shots.
SIMPLY THE BEST
Sunshine Coast Lightning midcourter Liz Watson notched up her 150th national league game in today’s match.
Rated as the world’s best wing attack, the Diamonds’ captain has won numerous honours during her time in the game, including World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold, and two Liz Ellis Diamonds, awarded annually to Australia’s best netballer.
GLASGOW’S GREAT MATE
Speaking after her injury last year, Glasgow paid tribute to her on court opponent - and former teammate - Courtney Bruce.
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With players and fans watching on in shock, Bruce proved to be a pillar of strength for her mate.
“I needed her in that moment,” Glasgow said.
“Being one of my best friends she stayed with me the entire time while I was being manipulated on the court until the ambulance took me away for emergency surgery.”
Originally published as Super Netball, round 1 news, scores: Thunderbirds smash Vixens in season opener
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