Netball

Let's hear it for the girls: Jamaican trio propel Adelaide Thunderbirds to consecutive SSN titles

By Sports Desk August 03, 2024
Adelaide Thunderbirds celebrate their first back-to-back titles in 25 years. Adelaide Thunderbirds celebrate their first back-to-back titles in 25 years. Getty Images

It was another masterful display from Jamaican trio Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson, and Romelda Aiken-George that ensured Adelaide Thunderbirds retained their Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League title as they edged Melbourne Vixens 59-57 in extra-time of a pulsating final at a sold-out Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

The relentless efforts of dynamic defensive duo Sterling-Humphrey and Wilson, coupled with the shooting prowess of the towering Aiken-George, not only underscored their immense class and quality, but more importantly, spurred the Thunderbirds to back-to-back premiership glory, a feat that only one other club has ever achieved in the SSN era.

Aiken-George, who joined the franchise at the top of the season, was named Finals MVP for her 41 goals from 51 attempts. She was supported by Lauren Frew, who scored a perfect 10 goals from as many attempts, while Georgie Horjus scored seven goals from eight attempts.

Meanwhile, Sophie Garbin scored 22 goals from 24 attempts, and Kiera Austin scored 21 goals from 24 attempts and seven two-goal Supershot efforts from as many attempts.

Romelda Aiken-George was named Finals MVP.

The Thunderbirds, like they have done all season, showed grit and determination, as Sterling-Humphrey and Wilson did what they do best. While they didn't reach their usual heights on the stat sheet, the dynamic duo wore down their Melbourne-based opponent’s attack, which started in red-hot form.

Sterling-Humphrey and Wilson combined for six gains but didn’t have everything their way in the early exchanges, as Austin’s smarts in the circle and Vixens' quick ball movement proved a challenge for the world-class Thunderbirds defenders.

After trailing by five, the Thunderbirds were forced to call a timeout to reset, which worked to some extent as they reduced the deficit to trail by three, 13-16, at the end of the opening quarter.

With Matilda Garrett, Sterling-Humphrey, and Wilson quiet at that point, Thunderbirds Head coach Tania Obst was forced to make some changes.

Jamaica's Wilson (second left) and Sterling-Humphrey (second right) celebrate with teammates.

Wilson was moved into goal defence, Tayla Williams into wing defence and skipper Hannah Petty was injected into centre to steady the ship.

And it worked.

From there, the Thunderbirds forced the Vixens into a number of errors to claw back the margin, outscoring their opponents 15-12 as they went into the half-time interval 28-28.

Sterling-Humphrey worked herself into the game in the second half, with Wilson by her side, wearing Austin like a glove down the court.

At the other end, Simone McKinnis handed Emily Mannix the job of quelling Aiken-George, but it proved futile given the height miss-match as the Thunderbirds took a one-goal lead at 42-41 to end the third quarter. 

As anticipated, the Thunderbirds, spurred by the electric home crowd, rattled the Vixens in the final quarter and raced to a six-goal lead at one point.

Kiera Austin was the standout Vixens performer.

 

However, Austin, who enjoyed superb form on the night, cut the deficit with her hot hand from the Supershot range.

In fact, a late turnover from Laura Scherian gave the Melbourne team a sniff of victory with less than two minutes to go, but Sophie Garbin missed a crucial Supershot in the dying moments and so it took extra time to decide a winner.

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