The Adelaide Thunderbirds may not have played finals for a decade, but they head into Sunday’s top of the table with the West Coast Fever as one of the premiership favourites.
And according to netball great Catherine Cox, it’s because the side has addressed their big problem area – converting turnovers.
“The difference from last year to this year is it looks like it’s clicking this year,” she said on Centre Circle.
Did you know you can watch 2 marquee Suncorp Super Netball matches LIVE & FREE every round on Kayo Freebies? Join now and start streaming instantly >
“They look like they’re scoring off the turnovers they’re getting.
“That was always the issue – they’d throw ball away.”
The Thunderbirds are once again the best defensive outfit in Super Netball – but it’s their goal keeper Shamera Sterling who is putting fear into opposition shooters.
Swifts top Lightning in thriller | 01:39
Sterling currently leads the way for blocked shots with five for the season – with the next best defender sitting on one.
“You saw what happened to the Vixens shooting line – they didn’t want to go to the post,” Cox said.
“That’s a huge win!”
Fellow Centre Circle panellist Kim Green said opposing shooters were under tremendous pressure taking on Sterling.
“Their (defensive) combination is incredible the way they are able to shift into different positions at any time and really own that position,” she said.
“It’s the ability to shift and change. What a great asset for Tania Obst to have on the bench.
“(Matilda) Garrett has just come into her own … her closing speed is insane. That’s something to really watch because as a defender that’s almost one of the best assets to have and she has it in spades.
“For shooters, (Sterling’s blocks) is putting them under such pressure.
“Wouldn’t you be scared to play against that?”
Giants go back-to-back vs. Collingwood | 01:00
Fever star Verity Simmons – who will play her 150th netball match this weekend – described the Thunderbirds as “huge contenders”, despite the team never making finals in Super Netball.
“They are a dangerous side,” she said.
“Just a huge game through the whole court. There is no weakness in them.
“(Sterling) is a massive player in the games in terms who turns over a lot of ball.
“We’ve got J (Jhaniele Fowler) sitting at the back there, who is absolutely killing it out on court. I think we keep doing our thing.
“I think we look at being a bit more precious with the ball, not sending the long bombs as much as we usually do. Chip the ball around, do our thing.”
While there’s Fowler v Sterling match up at one end of the court, down the other Fever goal keeper Courtney Bruce gets England international Eleanor Cardwell.
“I reckon this one’s going to be very interesting,” Cox said.
“Courtney Bruce likes to get in there, she likes to be physical, she likes to get in your head and play those games – but don’t tell me Eleanor Cardwell doesn’t enjoy the same thing.
“But I think she’ll be quite cool and not let Courtney Bruce rile her.
“For me it’s about the mental game here between these two and who can stay cool.
“I think the best thing you can do in terms of mind games is just expose your opponent – beat your opponent, turn get the ball, nail the shot over the top of them.
“Don’t get caught up in it.”
Cardwell herself this week said she’d be ready for a fight if Bruce wanted one.
“I won’t just curl up in a ball and not do anything about it … I’m always going to fight from my corner to play the best netball I can and find a way to combat her,” she said on ABC.
Roses star Cardwell is an integral part of the Thunderbirds line, Cox believes, in her debut season in Australia.
“I do feel like you have to have Cardwell out there. She gives you the strength, that solid player, that confidence,” she said.
“Leading by example on the court, you see her get in the huddle and just take over and demand it … I feel like that’s a real part of what’s making them successful this year.”
The Fever are adamant Bruce is fit to face Cardwell after she went down with an ankle injury against the Firebirds last weekend.
But the Australian star defender was able to shrug off the issue and play out the match in the two-goal win.
“This is the challenge we really need – every game is a grind and everything is tough, but top of the table clash – I think it’s time and a really good challenge for that,” Simmons said.
