Adelaide Thunderbirds take down the Melbourne Vixens
Credit: Getty Images
A sold out John Cain Arena was pumping with two teams fighting for their spot within the top 4. Vixens were looking to cement their place in the Top 4, Thunderbirds were looking to return back into the Top 4 and knock of the Lightning with 3 rounds left in competition. With WA Hannah Mundy out injured for the Vixens, Zara Walters comes into the starting 7.
The Thunderbirds defensive duo of Matilda Garrett and Latanya Wilson swapped positions to GK and GD respectively. Early into the first quarter, Latanya Wilson forced the tip on a Vixens centre pass and the Thunderbirds built the gap out to 2. The momentum again continued with Latanya getting the tip off a Vixens centre pass and pushing their lead out to 4. Right before the Power 5, Jo Weston from the Vixens got a crucial turnover and the Vixens executed through their goal shooter, Sophie Garbin. Lauren Frew the T’birds GA, with her first super shot attempt of the day does it with class in arguably her best season to date, continuing her red hot form. With the gap at 7 in the T’birds favour, Kiera Austin received the ball with 2 seconds remaining and with total calmness sinks the all important super shot. Thunderbirds at the end of the first quarter lead 19-14.
To start the second quarter, Romelda Aiken George the Thunderbirds goal shooter attempted to shoot from further back in the circle and the Vixens picked up the loose ball and reduced the gap. An untimely miss through Georgie Horjus continues to give the Vixens momentum early and the gap reduces to 4 early in the quarter. But Latanya Wilson showed why she is one of the most dangerous defenders in the league picking up another deflection, but Romelda dropped the ball offsetting the defenders deflection. With both teams going back and forth, the Super Shot was more crucial for both sides. The Vixens GA Kiera Austin sinks another Super Shot to tie the scores up but the Thunderbirds sink a late goal before the end of the quarter. Thunderbirds went into the break with only 1 point advantage - 30-29. The Vixens won the quarter by 4 goals.
The Vixens turned the ball over early in the third quarter, but Jo Weston off a Thunderbirds centre pass was able to offset the gain and Vixens levelled the scores. Kiera Austin played with a level of pose and calmness with Latanya Wilson all over her, Austin was able to put away two quick goals to get the scores level. With neither side unable to gain a turnover, the game suddenly opened up through a Thunderbirds intercept and off the very next play Kate Maloney forced another intercept and the Vixens built a two goal advantage. As the Power 5 started, Rudi Ellis was able get a gain off Romelda Aiken-George, the first of the day and a very timely point in the match. But Georgie Horjus on a GA for the Thunderbirds levelled the scoring again 42-42. Going into the final minute of the quarter, Kiera Austin sunk another super shot to give the Vixens the lead for the first time in the game going into the break 46-44. Vixens won the quarter by 3.
It was a frantic start to the fourth quarter with both sides turning over the ball and Vixens called a timeout after losing their advantage just 6 mins into the quarter. The Vixens shooting circle were fighting hard off the ball to get into space and get their goals. But a Thunderbirds turnover didn’t help their cause which was very quickly reversed by a Kate Maloney tip off. The final Power 5 began and Horjus was quick to get on with it, but an offensive contact off the ball from Romelda Aiken George on Rudi Ellis didn’t help the Thunderbirds case. Garbin gave the Vixens a one point advance off the back of the contact with 3 minutes remaining. But through a Georgie Horjus Super Shot the T’Birds get the lead. The Vixens go searching for the Austin Super Shot, but Garbin unexpectedly threw the ball up in Super Shot range but it failed to hit the mark. Austin from the same spot looked to reduce the T’Birds gap but was unable to make the Super Shot.
With that the Adelaide Thunderbirds were able to close out the match 56-53 winning the final quarter by 6. With her vital Super Shots, Georgie Horjus was named player of the match. With that the Thunderbirds pip the Sunshine Coast Lightning for 4th spot. The Vixens retain 3rd position and fair to say the NSW Swifts will be happy with that result as they hold onto 2nd position.
