Thunderbirds fall short after Super shooting wobbles
Adelaide have paid the price for their super-shot wobbles, falling to a shock 66-63 loss to the lowly Giants in their round-nine Super Netball clash.
Coming into Sunday's match, the last-placed Giants had only posted one win for the season - against two-time defending champions the Thunderbirds in early May.
But they doubled that tally, roaring home in the fourth quarter to quieten the full house at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The visitors trailed by three goals heading into the final term, but piled on a further 18 to cement the win.
The T-Birds only managed two super shots, which are worth two points, from 16 attempts for the entire match, both through Georgia Horjus, and missed all 10 attempts in the first half.
The loss leaves Adelaide outside the finals-bound top four in fifth spot.
The teams went toe-to-toe in the opening quarter, level at 20-20 at the first break.
But with the Giants nailing six super shots and the Thunderbirds coming up empty-handed, the visitors took a 37-33 lead into the second half.
Jo Harten wound back the clock as she and Diamonds ace Sophie Dwyer both shot at 100 per cent for the half.
However, another veteran in Romelda Aiken-George found her groove in the third stanza and went on a 14-goal run to put her side ahead, much to the delight of the vocal home crowd.
Wing attack Horjus also shifted to the goal circle to bag their first super shot of the match, despite the best efforts of promising young defender Erin O'Brien.
Down the other end Adelaide goal-keeper Latanya Wilson also started to shine, adding two crucial intercepts to her tally as they took a 51-48 lead into the final quarter.
But the Giants wouldn't go away and a Dwyer goal saw her team draw level with six minutes left.
With their tails up and Adelaide's inability to convert from out wide proving costly, the Sydneysiders kicked away.
Harten finished with 17 goals from 17 attempts, including four two-point goals, while Dwyer was 28 from 29, including four super shots from four.
Aiken-George topped her team's scoring with 49 goals.
O'Brien collected the MVP award after 10 deflections, two intercepts and five gains.
"It's a bit of a blur, those last few minutes were a bit stressful," the 21-year-old told Fox Sports.
"We're working really well as a unit, new combinations, and I felt we moved it really well down the court today.
"It gives us so much confidence. We're so hungry, we know we can win and we know how good we can be."
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