Fowler-Nembhard and Aiken-George lead teams to victory and three-way tie atop Suncorp Super Netball League
Suncorp Super Netball
In a thrilling encounter at John Cain Arena, the West Coast Fever edged out the Melbourne Vixens with a 68-67 victory, setting up a three-way tie atop the Suncorp Super Netball. This dramatic win, spearheaded by Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, has the Fever, Adelaide Thunderbirds, and Melbourne Vixens all tied in the standings heading into the final week of the regular season.
Fowler-Nembhard, the highest-rated player on the court, was exceptional, scoring 60 of her 61 attempts and keeping her cool in the dying moments to secure the victory. "My team came out here with one goal in mind and that was to fight really hard. Super proud of how we played in defence through to attack,” she said. “We want a top-two finish because we’ve been fighting so hard throughout the season. It would mean a lot for us. That’s what we’re gunning for.”
The Fever were impressive in their efficiency, making 74 shots from 76 feeds. Alice Teague-Neeld was outstanding with 25 goal assists and 29 feeds, combining strongly with centre Jess Anstiss, whose defensive efforts were crucial. Wing defence Sunday Aryang also stood out with a match-high three intercepts, matching the total intercepts of the entire Vixens side.
Despite several late super shot attempts by the Vixens, the Fever's solid defence, particularly from Fran Williams and Kadie-Ann Dehaney, proved too much. The Vixens' shooting pair, Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin, struggled under the pressure, committing five turnovers each, leading to a second straight defeat for the Vixens against top contenders.
Meanwhile, the Adelaide Thunderbirds secured a decisive 60-48 victory over the NSW Swifts in Sydney, propelling them to the top of the Super Netball ladder. The Swifts, who have now lost seven consecutive matches, put up a strong fight but could not overcome the Thunderbirds' relentless defence.
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, named MVP, was a defensive powerhouse, blocking multiple attempts and restricting the Swifts to just 62 per cent shooting accuracy early on. Despite some strong individual performances, including Romelda Aiken-George’s 43/46 scoring, the Swifts could not match the Thunderbirds' intensity.
Looking ahead, the final round of the regular season promises high stakes as teams jostle for the top two spots, which guarantees a crucial finals double chance. The Vixens will face the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane, while the Fever will host the Melbourne Mavericks. All eyes will then turn to the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who will take on the Sunshine Coast Lightning at home, to determine the final ladder positions.
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No Limits: Dynamic defender Wilson targets more success with Thunderbirds; ready to lead Sunshine Girls in England series
Jamaica’s netball star Latanya Wilson is riding high on the wave of success, both personally and professionally.
After two stellar seasons with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Australia's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League, Wilson is poised for even greater accomplishments, with two more years to go on her three-year contract, which concludes in 2026.
Wilson’s journey since joining the Thunderbirds in 2021 has so far been nothing short of remarkable, and she remains laser-focused on her goals—both for her club and country.
“My time with Adelaide has been a dream. When I first joined the Thunderbirds, I knew it was going to be a challenge, but the team has embraced me, and together we’ve achieved so much in a short space of time. We’ve been able to build a winning culture, and I’ve grown a lot as a player and as a person,” Wilson told SportsMax.Tv as she reflected.
“Winning two titles in the best league in the world is a massive achievement in my career, and I'm immensely proud of my team and myself for our hard work and dedication. But there’s still more to accomplish, more titles to chase, and more growth to be had,” she added, while flashing her infectious smile.
The dynamic defender’s powerful performances have earned her a reputation as one of the league’s premier players, and her contributions, in tandem with Sunshine Girls teammate Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, have helped the Thunderbirds emerge as perennial title contenders.
Speed, confidence, and good timing are key to Wilson's defensive prowess, and that, coupled with her ability to read the game, disrupt opponents, and rally her team during critical moments, has made her a fan favorite.
The 23-year-old tallied 46 intercepts, 89 deflections, 19 general turnovers, and 11 rebounds last season, and that has left her excited about what the next two years will bring with the Thunderbirds.
“While there's always pressure to perform, our focus is on continuous improvement as a team. If we achieve that, defending the title will come naturally for us, so I’m excited for what’s to come, and I know that with the talent and determination we have in this team, we can achieve even greater things,” Wilson declared.
While club success remains at the forefront of her mind, Wilson is also gearing up for an exciting chapter in her international career, as Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls are set to engage England in a four-match series against England, and her expectations are high.
With both teams tied on 187 rating points, a series win for the fourth-ranked Sunshine Girls would see them leap above their third-ranked opponents.
The series will see the Jamaicans travelling to England for the first two matches, scheduled for November 16 and 17, while the return games will take place at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Jamaica on November 25 and 26.
“The series against England is a big one for us. England is a tough opponent, but we’ve been working hard, and we’re ready for the challenge. Every game is an opportunity to get better, and we’re focused on building on our performances from the Netball World Cup to continue representing Jamaica at the highest level,” she shared.
Though the task of balancing university and a professional career can be an arduous journey, the soft-spoken Wilson is committed to pushing the barriers to achieve what she set out to.
“I stay motivated by the desire to provide for my family and my love for the game. Physically, I'm constantly pushing myself to improve through training and being accountable, and I approach each game with respect and determination,” Wilson reasoned.