Super Netball: Adelaide T-Birds’ goaler Lauren Frew’s big build-up to grand final against Vixens

Adelaide Thunderbirds goaler Lauren Frew is gearing up for the biggest game of her young netball career in the Super Netball grand final, but she’s had one eye on the other side of the world.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 20: Lauren Frew of the Thunderbirds during the Super Netball Major Semi Final match between Adelaide Thunderbirds and Melbourne Vixens at Adelaide 36ers Arena, on July 20, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

The Adelaide Entertainment Centre is a long way from Paris, but Thunderbirds goal attack Lauren Frew could be forgiven for letting her mind wander to the Eiffel Tower in the lead-up to the Super Netball grand final.

While the first-year Thunderbird has been gearing up for the biggest match of her young netball career, her boyfriend – beach volleyballer Izac Carracher – has been on the other side of the world in Paris chasing his Olympic dream.

Frew said she had a ticket booked for Sunday night to fly out to Paris to join Carracher, but her hopes of seeing him compete won’t come to fruition after he and playing partner Mark Nicolaidis lost their final must-win pool match of the Games on Thursday night.

The couple has been supporting each other’s competition and preparations for the biggest moments of their sporting careers from afar.

“He qualified only a couple of weeks before the Olympics, over in Asia, to get the second spot for Australia, which was so crazy,” Frew said.

“I have tried not to think too much about not being over there because it is sort of sad not getting to see him and being there for the opening ceremony and everything.

Adelaide Thunderbirds goaler Lauren Frew. Picture: Getty Images

“But it’s just so exciting that he is at his first Olympics and I’m in my first SSN grand final.

“We’re very supportive of each other. I’ve been able to watch him on the TV and he can watch me on the TV.

“I know it’s not the same as being there in person, but it’s just a very exciting time for the both of us.”

While Carracher won’t progress to the next stage of competition at the Olympics, Frew’s Super Netball premiership dream is still in play ahead of Saturday night’s title decider against the Melbourne Vixens.

The 22-year-old South Australian product came into the Thunderbirds’ lineup this year following the departures of 2023 premiership goalers Eleanor Cardwell Melbourne Mavericks) and Tippah Dwan (Queensland Firebirds) at the end of last season.

Frew admitted she was still pinching herself that she was getting the chance to play for a premiership in her first season in the competition.

“I feel very honoured to be a part of this team,” said Frew, who was a training partner last season when the Thunderbirds won the Super Netball crown.

“When you look at it, you think finals are easy, like they come around pretty often because that’s what happened last year. But when you look at how far the Thunderbirds have come you know that’s not always the case.

“One of my teammates, ‘Shez’ (Laura Scherian), said to me, ‘Enjoy this moment’ because you can take it for granted, but a lot of teams are already out.

Lauren Frew and Thunderbirds’ teammate Georgie Horjus. Picture: Getty Images

“We are so lucky to be playing in a final series, let alone a grand final and I am just really excited.”

The homegrown shooting talent fulfilled a childhood dream when she was signed to play with the team she grew up supporting.

Thunderbirds posters used to adorn her bedroom wall, but now she is the player signing the photos.

“As a kid, I always had that dream of playing for the Thunderbirds,” Frew said.

“I used to go and watch the games and get all the signatures.

“I remember having all of the posters up in my room which is just so crazy to think that I am that person now signing the posters.

“It’s so special to be playing at home in front of my friends and family and also the wider netball community in Adelaide, who know me from growing up and playing through the ranks.”

It has been an impressive debut season from Frew, who has taken to the court in every game so far and shot 17 goals from 18 attempts in the Thunderbirds’ big major semi-final win over the Vixens two weeks ago.

Following the off-season goaling departures, Frew said she had worked hard to build her relationships with her attacking teammates on and off the court, especially alongside goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George.

Who will win on Saturday night? Picture: Getty Images

“With myself and Romelda, I obviously only met her this year, but we’ve done a lot as a group to connect and build that trust and relationships off the court,” Frew said.

“So I feel like they have really translated onto the court and we’re really just playing as a united group.

“ (Aiken-George) is such a talented player and I feel like having her under the post for me, not only shooting and knowing that she’s a pretty good rebounder, but also just having her as that strong target, it brings a lot of confidence for me and the other players in the team.

“She’s great fun and a great person to make you enjoy the moment and not stress too much.”

As the Thunderbirds target back-to-back Super Netball crowns, Frew is confident herself – and the team – are ready for the moment.

“We all know what we have to do and we have all got a lot of faith in each other that we can get the job done,” Frew said.

“But having this home game is just amazing …. having that oar and cheer in the crowd is amazing and I can’t wait to hopefully perform a great game for our pink army.”