Super Netball: Shamera Sterling praises changes that turned Thunderbirds into finals force

Shamera Sterling was left shattered by Adelaide’s collapse from Super Netball contention last year, but after an off-season of change she’s eyeing grand final glory.

Adelaide Thunderbirds star Shamera Sterling has sent a clear message to whichever of her senior Jamaican teammates she will face in next week’s Super Netball grand final — I can be even better.

Sterling has established herself as the best defender in the league — and arguably the world — this season, and currently sits on top of the Super Netball ladder for both deflections and intercepts.

But as good as she has been this season, she knows she will have to raise her game to another level to stare down either Jhaniele Fowler or Romelda Aiken-George in the grand final goal circle.

“I think for the grand final, I do have to step it up a notch just to get us over the line,” Sterling said.

“And I think it’s going to be huge for the defence line to come up with (plays) for us to get gains and for our shooters to capitalise on that.”

Shamera Sterling competes for the ball with Romelda Aiken-George. Picture: Getty Images

Whether she plays on Fowler — the Jamaican captain and woman generally regarded as the best shooter in the world — or the revitalised Aiken-George, the efforts of spring-heeled Sterling and her Sunshine Girls partner in crime Latanya Wilson are likely to be worth the price of admission alone.

Sterling is in her fifth year with the Thunderbirds and despite her own high achievements, is playing in her first Super Netball finals campaign as Adelaide makes its first post-season appearance in a decade.

But she said big-match experience garnered on the international scene would help her through.

“I think the fact that I’ve been in the semi-finals and finals means that this isn’t new to me so hopefully I can bring some of that experience that I’ve learned in the Commonwealth Games finals into the SSN and I’m really looking forward to it,” the Birmingham silver medallist said.

Sterling was shattered when the T-Birds failed to make the top four last year after being contenders for most of the season.

Shamera Sterling has established herself as the best defender in the league. Picture: Getty Images

But the changes made and experience gained throughout the squad were the difference.

“Some of us have been playing together for a while and we’ve been saying to ourselves (last season) that this is the last year that we will be holding up the ladder,” she said.

“From the start of the season we’ve seen where we’ve got into some situations in games and we’ve (been able to) pull out of that whereas previous years we weren’t able to.

“And I think the coaching part of that, bringing Tracey (former England coach Tracey Neville) in adds a lot to our team.

“And then some of our youngsters coming in and grouping with experienced players to achieve a common goal is really good.”

Sterling said she had no real preference about who the Thunderbirds played in the grand final.

Their plans will revolve around their own performance and what they can do to raise their levels as individuals and as a team.

But she hinted the T-Birds could have some help on their side.

“I believe in fate,” she said.

“I’m a true believer in God as well, so I do hope that we’ll win this one.”

Originally published as Super Netball: Shamera Sterling praises changes that turned Thunderbirds into finals force