ADELAIDE Thunderbirds caused an almighty Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) upset against Sunshine Coast Lightning by one goal (61-60). It was a heart in your mouth finish, with the winner not decided until the final five seconds of the game with Lenize Potgieter prevailing as the match winner.

It was goal for goal to start the term, and while both teams did not necessarily treasure possession to start the game they managed to convert off their centre pass. Mahalia Cassidy had some real energy out on court winning ball back but simply could not capitalise with Potgieter imposing herself under the ring. An errant pass from Laura Scherian handed possession back to the Thunderbirds but they lacked fluidity down the court throwing away ball as soon as they got it. Shamera Sterling showcased her aerial presence and tenacity with an early intercept as the Thunderbirds skipped out to a three goal lead. Getting the nod in at wing defence with Shadine van der Merwe rested with a lower leg injury, Latanya Wilson rewarded her coach for the start with a huge intercept highlighting her speed and dynamic movement. the Thunderbirds were in complete and utter control pushing out to four-goal lead and most importantly made the Lightning pay shooting at 100 per cent.

With the timeout called the Lightning came out with a point to prove nailing the first goal as Cara Koenen upped the ante after being well and truly outdone by Sterling. Maisie Nankivell seemed to have the ball on a string with her bullet like passes into Potgieter and Georgie Horjus. The Thunderbirds’ tails were up as the attack end fired on all cylinders with the super shot working wonders and extending their lead to six goals. But Steph Wood said replied with a huge super shot of her own to reduce the deficit to four goals.

Potgieter was carving up the Lightning defence with Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretorius out of answers for her silky footwork and strong holds. But Maddy McAuliffe displayed her class and niggle around circle edge to pick up ball and then send it firing down the other end of the court. Sunshine Coast kicked up a gear eating into the margin but Sterling was not about to be outdone with the goal keeper out roaming and picking up a huge intercept. It was turning into a goal keeper’s game as Maweni racked up a rejection on the shot to hand possession back to the Lightning. The defensive nature of the game stepped up with Pretorius utilising her go-go gadget arms to wrangle an intercept with Koenen rewarding her for her efforts. Scores were level with just over five minutes played as Sunshine Coast started to use their speed to dart across the court and steal the lead.

The tussle from both sides was impressive but the Lightning managed to keep their noses in front. A timeout shifted momentum back in favour of the Thunderbirds as they slotted back to back goals to get back within striking distance. Horjus was proving to be a real livewire as Adelaide stole back the lead credit to their new found level of confidence. Wood nailed a much needed settler while the battle between Cassidy and Elle McDonald continued to heat up as the pair engaged in plenty of argy-bargy around circle edge. Once again it was Wood that sealed the deal with only seconds left on the clock with a super shot to hold a three-goal lead at half-time.

It took less than 20 seconds for Potgieter to add to the scoreboard as the Thunderbirds clawed their way back into the contest. It was turnover central to start the game as both attacking ends coughed up ball as they looked to re-settle back into the pace of the game. Sterling picked up where she left off with another huge rejection on the shot to spur the side into action. Within the blink of an eye the Thunderbirds had pegged the margin back and this goal for goal rhythm ensued. Horjus scrapped hard at the transverse line to win ball back as the tables started to turn and Adelaide re-established a two-goal lead.

The Lightning tinkered with the midcourt as Scherian swung into centre and Binnian Hunt pulled on the wing attack bib in hope to use her extra height to their advantage. There was an aura of confidence for the Thunderbirds as Hannah Petty picked off intercepts while Wilson used her aerial smarts to chase down the loose ball after replacing Matilda Garrett in goal defence. Adelaide flipped the script from half time to go into the final change up by three thanks to a six goal turnaround.

Looking down the barrel of a loss the Lightning looked to the bench as Peace Proscovia entered the game in goal shooter while Kate Shimmin got the nod in at wing defence prompting a midcourt re-shuffle. The Lightning rallied with a couple of big defensive wins as they levelled the scores once again before they hit the lead by a goal. It was a pulsating quarter as the lead ebbed and flowed with neither side able to assert their dominance. as the clock ticked down, Adelaide dug deep pulling a rabbit out of the hat to steal a one goal win off the hands of Potgieter.

Koenen finished with  27 goals from 29 attempts, while Wood also chimed in with 22 goals and 15 goal assists. Scherian was once again a livewire in the frontend racking up 20 goal assists. For the Thunderbirds, Potgieter was the go-to girl with her 40 goals from 41 attempts while Horjus slotted 20 goals. Nankivell impressed around circle edge for the Tbirds with a whopping 35 goal assists while defensively Pretorius starred with her four intercepts and six deflections as Sterling dazzled credit to her three intercepts and three gains.

SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING 14 | 17 | 12 | 17 (60)
ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS 18 | 10 | 18 | 15 (61)

STARTING SEVEN

Lightning:

GS: Cara Koenen
GA: Steph Wood
WA: Laura Scherian
C: Mahalia Cassidy
WD: Maddy McAuliffe
GD: Karla Pretorius
GK: Phumza Maweni

Thunderbirds:

GS: Lenize Potgieter
GA: Georgie Horjus
WA: Maisie Nankivell
C: Hannah Petty
WD: Latanya Wilson
GD: Matilda Garrett
GK: Shamera Sterling

Photo credit: AAP