The Adelaide Thunderbirds have been crowned Super Netball champions for the first time since 2013, defeating the Melbourne Vixens 60-55 in a thrilling grand final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.
Thunderbirds Dominate Early
The Thunderbirds came out firing, establishing a 16-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Their defensive pressure was relentless, with goal keeper Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and goal defence Latanya Wilson combining to create multiple turnovers. Goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George was accurate under the post, converting 24 of her 26 attempts.
Melbourne Vixens fought back in the second quarter, with goal shooter Kiera Austin and goal attack Mwai Kumwenda finding their rhythm. The Vixens managed to reduce the deficit to just two goals at halftime, trailing 30-28.
Vixens Rally in Third Quarter
The third quarter saw the Vixens level the scores at 40-40 midway through, but the Thunderbirds responded with a 5-1 run to take a 45-41 lead into the final break. Adelaide's midcourt, led by centre Tayla Williams and wing attack Georgie Horjus, controlled the tempo and fed the ball effectively into the shooting circle.
In the final quarter, the Thunderbirds extended their lead to seven goals at one stage, but the Vixens refused to give up. With three minutes remaining, the Vixens cut the margin to four goals, but crucial intercepts from Sterling-Humphrey and Wilson sealed the victory for Adelaide.
Key Performances
Romelda Aiken-George was named player of the match, scoring 42 goals from 46 attempts at 91% accuracy. Shamera Sterling-Humphrey finished with eight intercepts and 10 deflections, while Latanya Wilson contributed five intercepts and seven deflections. For the Vixens, Kiera Austin scored 34 goals from 37 attempts, and Mwai Kumwenda added 21 goals from 24 attempts.
Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petitt said after the match: "This is an incredible feeling. We've worked so hard all season, and to come out on top in front of our home crowd is just amazing." Vixens captain Kate Moloney acknowledged the Thunderbirds' dominance: "They were the better team tonight. We gave it everything, but they were just too good."
Season Recap and Impact
The Thunderbirds finished the regular season in second place with 12 wins and two losses, while the Vixens were third with 11 wins and three losses. Adelaide's victory marks their first premiership since 2013 and their third overall. The win also ends the Vixens' hopes of a third title, having won in 2014 and 2020.
The grand final attracted a sell-out crowd of 9,500 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, with thousands more watching on television. The match was a showcase of high-quality netball, with both teams displaying exceptional skill and athleticism.
Looking Ahead
With the Super Netball season now complete, attention turns to the international calendar. Several Thunderbirds and Vixens players are expected to be selected for the Australian Diamonds squad for the upcoming Constellation Cup series against New Zealand. The Thunderbirds' victory also strengthens their case for multiple players to be included in the national team.
The 2026 Super Netball season is set to begin in March next year, with the Thunderbirds aiming to defend their title and the Vixens looking to bounce back from this grand final defeat.
