Super Netball Grand Final: Live coverage of Thunderbirds v Vixens

Thunderbirds have eked out a thrilling two-point win against the Vixens to clinch the grand final, and claim a second straight Super Netball premiership.

In a grand final worthy of the ages, the Adelaide Thunderbirds have eked out a two point win against the Melbourne Vixens to take back to back Super Netball titles. After almost a decade of languishing near the bottom of the ladder, the Thunderbirds’ mix of local talent and Jamaican superstars has flipped the script and become a powerhouse in the world’s best netball league. Undefeated at home all season, the Thunderbirds made a nervous start in a hard fought contest before they finally broke the shackles in the last quarter to win 59 to 57. While many doubted the Thunderbirds ability to stay at the top of their game while replacing the shooters they lost last season, it was a coaching masterstroke to sign match MVP Romelda Aiken-George. Speaking after the match, she said, “I knew that I still had so much more to give. From the moment I came here, this group has embraced me and my family so well. Everyone was hand out, ready to help.”

In a complete turnaround from their semi-final match that they lost by 25 points, the Vixens applied the blowtorch from the opening whistle, taking advantage of some nervous Thunderbird mistakes and using crisp movement to open up an early five point lead. Using a time out and a complete rejig of her line up, Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst was able to stop the rot, but her vaunted defensive end had few answers to the Vixens game plan of short, sharp passing and were unable to eat into it.

Thunderbirds centre Hannah Petty passes the ball during the Super Netball Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

Despite three deflections in the opening minutes, superstar defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey was kept quiet for much of the first quarter. It took almost 15 minutes for her to snaffle an ill-placed pass, and spark a fight back which saw her side trail by three heading into the first break.

After a quarter time rev up, Thunderbirds tightened up their defence, with the Vixens showing great patience as they worked through the maze of arms holding up their play. However, the pressure mounted, and an electric Latanya Wilson pulled off two athletic turnovers which saw the Thunderbirds tie the score up going into half time.

Georgie Horjus played a key role in the Thunderbirds’ successful premiership defence. Picture: Getty Images

So often the barometer of her side’s success, Vixen Kiera Austin continued last week’s formidable form, directing traffic and finding plenty of room under the post. In an exhausting workload, Austin handled the ball in almost every second pass down court in near flawless connection with Hannah Mundy, and finished with 21 from 24 including seven from seven supershots. At the opposite end, the league’s most capped player and match MVP, Romelda Aiken-George, who was playing in her 20th final’s appearance, top scored with 42/51. Despite her accuracy faltering at times she was a rock under the post, using all her experience to outwit the two defenders who doubled back on her.

Kiera Austin kept the Vixens in the final with her outstanding accuracy from range. Picture: Getty Images

With a skinny one point lead heading into three quarter time, the Thunderbirds shuffled through their roster to find a winning edge.With the minutes ticking down, they edged further ahead until the super shot period, where a late intercept by Kate Moloney and a series of supershots by Austin almost saved the Vixens’ day. Their heroics weren’t quite enough, and Thunderbirds ran out two point winners in front of a capacity crowd.

Remarkably for a grand final, the Thunderbirds gave up a frugal 10 turnovers, with the Vixens not far behind on 12. There were few clear gains to come by, with Sterling-Humphrey and Wilson on three each, while the Vixens combined for just three total.

Speaking after the game, Vixens’ captain Moloney said that she was proud of her team’s fight. “I feel like we came up with a plan and I thought it worked really well, we just weren’t able to get over them in the end. It’s hard, it’s tough.”

NO SHAKIN’ AIKEN

Thunderbirds star Romelda Aiken-George played her 20th finals match, and fourth grand final. Picture: Getty Images

After an incredible 17 seasons at this level, the most capped player in Super Netball and today’s MVP Romelda Aiken-George, played in her 20th finals match and fourth grand final today. The two-time league MVP (2008, 2009) is as consistent as ever, achieving 87 percent accuracy under the post this season, her third most accurate on record. It’s a formidable achievement for the Jamaican, who often flies under the radar compared to some of her more high profile national teammates.

CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS

Kate Moloney is not only the Vixens’ captain, but the beating heart and soul of their club.

Vixens captain Kate Moloney looks to pass during the Super Netball Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

First for pickups and third for feeds in the league, Moloney leads her side with passion and fire. Speaking of the Vixens’ new look attacking line before the match, Moloney said, “It has changed quite a bit, it’s really fresh and exciting. With Hannah and Zara there I felt I had to step up

Originally published as Super Netball Grand Final: Live coverage of Thunderbirds v Vixens