
Perfect 10: Fever torch Lightning in record fashion
Rampant West Coast Fever have created Super Netball history, winning a single-season record 10th straight game with a 69-54 trouncing of Sunshine Coast Lightning.
The Fever hushed the sold-out UniSC Arena early with a commanding opening salvo, before finishing with a heavy flourish to move to 10-2.
Since the current format superseded the old Trans-Tasman Championship in 2017, no team had won 10 in a row in one year until West Coast's history-making performance on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
In-form Alice Teague-Neeld celebrated her 100th game by amassing 26 assists and 40 feeds, her dominance at wing attack capitalised on by star goaler Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, who hit 51 goals
The previous best by any team was nine consecutive victories, a three-way tie between the NSW Swifts (2023, 2025) and the Lightning (2019).
With two more regular-season games to come before finals, the Fever are in no hurry to end the streak.
"Definitely going for (wins) 11 and 12," said Teague-Neeld, who was named player of the match.
"Every team knows it's important to finish the season strong leading into finals.
"Definitely looking for a couple more wins."
Teague-Neeld's combination with centre Jordan Cransberg was lethal from the start, forcing Sunshine Coast's midcourt into costly cough-ups as the Fever strolled to a 22-13 quarter-time lead.
Diamonds captain Liz Watson lifted the Lightning in the second term, having the better of West Coast skipper Jess Anstiss, but the home side's errant finishing from long range meant the margin was still nine goals at halftime.
Sunshine Coast trimmed the deficit to seven in the third quarter, but continued to be hit-and-miss with their goal-shooting before being snowed under in the final period.
Attacking trio Teague-Neeld, Fowler-Nembhard and Shanice Beckford ran riot as the Fever blew the margin out to 69-50 late, inflicting the Lightning's equal-heaviest defeat of the season and leaving them barely clinging to a spot in the top four at 6-6.
Rampant West Coast Fever have created Super Netball history, winning a single-season record 10th straight game with a 69-54 trouncing of Sunshine Coast Lightning.
The Fever hushed the sold-out UniSC Arena early with a commanding opening salvo, before finishing with a heavy flourish to move to 10-2.
Since the current format superseded the old Trans-Tasman Championship in 2017, no team had won 10 in a row in one year until West Coast's history-making performance on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
In-form Alice Teague-Neeld celebrated her 100th game by amassing 26 assists and 40 feeds, her dominance at wing attack capitalised on by star goaler Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, who hit 51 goals
The previous best by any team was nine consecutive victories, a three-way tie between the NSW Swifts (2023, 2025) and the Lightning (2019).
With two more regular-season games to come before finals, the Fever are in no hurry to end the streak.
"Definitely going for (wins) 11 and 12," said Teague-Neeld, who was named player of the match.
"Every team knows it's important to finish the season strong leading into finals.
"Definitely looking for a couple more wins."
Teague-Neeld's combination with centre Jordan Cransberg was lethal from the start, forcing Sunshine Coast's midcourt into costly cough-ups as the Fever strolled to a 22-13 quarter-time lead.
Diamonds captain Liz Watson lifted the Lightning in the second term, having the better of West Coast skipper Jess Anstiss, but the home side's errant finishing from long range meant the margin was still nine goals at halftime.
Sunshine Coast trimmed the deficit to seven in the third quarter, but continued to be hit-and-miss with their goal-shooting before being snowed under in the final period.
Attacking trio Teague-Neeld, Fowler-Nembhard and Shanice Beckford ran riot as the Fever blew the margin out to 69-50 late, inflicting the Lightning's equal-heaviest defeat of the season and leaving them barely clinging to a spot in the top four at 6-6.
Rampant West Coast Fever have created Super Netball history, winning a single-season record 10th straight game with a 69-54 trouncing of Sunshine Coast Lightning.
The Fever hushed the sold-out UniSC Arena early with a commanding opening salvo, before finishing with a heavy flourish to move to 10-2.
Since the current format superseded the old Trans-Tasman Championship in 2017, no team had won 10 in a row in one year until West Coast's history-making performance on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
In-form Alice Teague-Neeld celebrated her 100th game by amassing 26 assists and 40 feeds, her dominance at wing attack capitalised on by star goaler Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, who hit 51 goals
The previous best by any team was nine consecutive victories, a three-way tie between the NSW Swifts (2023, 2025) and the Lightning (2019).
With two more regular-season games to come before finals, the Fever are in no hurry to end the streak.
"Definitely going for (wins) 11 and 12," said Teague-Neeld, who was named player of the match.
"Every team knows it's important to finish the season strong leading into finals.
"Definitely looking for a couple more wins."
Teague-Neeld's combination with centre Jordan Cransberg was lethal from the start, forcing Sunshine Coast's midcourt into costly cough-ups as the Fever strolled to a 22-13 quarter-time lead.
Diamonds captain Liz Watson lifted the Lightning in the second term, having the better of West Coast skipper Jess Anstiss, but the home side's errant finishing from long range meant the margin was still nine goals at halftime.
Sunshine Coast trimmed the deficit to seven in the third quarter, but continued to be hit-and-miss with their goal-shooting before being snowed under in the final period.
Attacking trio Teague-Neeld, Fowler-Nembhard and Shanice Beckford ran riot as the Fever blew the margin out to 69-50 late, inflicting the Lightning's equal-heaviest defeat of the season and leaving them barely clinging to a spot in the top four at 6-6.
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Supersub Matisse Letherbarrow came in cold and caught fire, lifting the Giants to a 68-63 win over the Queensland Firebirds and helping Jo Harten celebrate her 200th Super Netball game in style. After watching their 12-goal lead evaporate into a three-point deficit at Brisbane's Nissan Arena on Sunday, the Giants turned to Letherbarrow - and she delivered. Checking in partway through the final quarter, the sharp-shooting reserve nailed eight of 10 shots, including four of five super shots, and single-handedly outscored Queensland 10-2 in the last five minutes. Letherbarrow's late-game blitz delivered the knockout blow after Amy Sligar had laid the early foundations. "We wanted to come out and put in a solid four quarters," Sligar said. "It was really challenging, but it was good to get the win and celebrate Jo's 200th. "It's an incredible achievement and goes to show what kind of player she is." 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Checking in partway through the final quarter, the sharp-shooting reserve nailed eight of 10 shots, including four of five super shots, and single-handedly outscored Queensland 10-2 in the last five minutes. Letherbarrow's late-game blitz delivered the knockout blow after Amy Sligar had laid the early foundations. "We wanted to come out and put in a solid four quarters," Sligar said. "It was really challenging, but it was good to get the win and celebrate Jo's 200th. "It's an incredible achievement and goes to show what kind of player she is." The Firebirds, who slumped to a 10th straight loss, were already on the back foot after losing co-captain Hulita Veve and attacker Tippah Dwan to knee injuries during the week. The Giants started fast, with Jamie-Lee Price on top in the middle and Sligar strong at wing defence. The Firebirds coughed up seven turnovers as the Giants jumped to a 21-14 quarter-time lead. Harten and Sophie Dwyer were in sync in attack as the margin stretched to 32-20, before Queensland clawed their way back. Lara Dunkley started getting on top of Sligar, as did Macy Gardner against Price in the middle. The Firebirds finished the half on a barnstorming 14-5 spree, capped by Abigail Latu-Meafou's three unanswered goals - including a super shot - inside the last minute to slash the margin to 37-34. Turnovers crept in again for Queensland in the third quarter as the Giants stretched their cushion to 51-44. But another Firebirds surge - a 6-0 run over the last 90 seconds, capped by a stunning Emily Moore super-shot right on three-quarter time - trimmed the gap to 51-50. Queensland coach Kiri Wills delivered an impassioned address at the final break. "We've got 15 minutes (left) where we need to work, work, work," she said. "Give this crowd something to bloody cheer for." 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Turnovers crept in again for Queensland in the third quarter as the Giants stretched their cushion to 51-44. But another Firebirds surge - a 6-0 run over the last 90 seconds, capped by a stunning Emily Moore super-shot right on three-quarter time - trimmed the gap to 51-50. Queensland coach Kiri Wills delivered an impassioned address at the final break. "We've got 15 minutes (left) where we need to work, work, work," she said. "Give this crowd something to bloody cheer for." The Firebirds heeded Wills' message and pinched the lead, before their shooters went cold down the stretch, while the Giants rode Letherbarrow's hot hand at the other end.


The Advertiser
43 minutes ago
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The 5000-day curse broken by netball's Thunderbirds
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The Vixens' frontcourt coughed up repeated turnovers in the fourth term while misfiring from long range. Horjus's two-pointer over Weston and Ellis gave Adelaide the lead for good as the visitors swamped Melbourne 12-7 i The Adelaide Thunderbirds have bounced back into the Super Netball top four, kept their three-peat dream alive and ended one of the longest droughts in Australian sport with a gritty 56-53 victory over the Melbourne Vixens. Remarkably given all their recent successes, it was the Thunderbirds' first away win over the Vixens since June 6, 2010 - 5511 days ago - snapping a 12-game losing streak against Melbourne in their own backyard at John Cain Arena on Sunday. Adelaide (6-6) set up their drought-breaking triumph with a barnstorming start and miserly finish after being challenged by the third-ranked Vixens (7-5) in the middle. Georgie Horjus was shifted from wing attack to goal attack midway through the second quarter and finished with seven goals without a miss - including two super shots - as well as nine assists to help end Melbourne's five-game winning stretch. "We probably didn't play our best netball but we grinded it out," Horjus said. "We knew we had to win, so now we're still in the hunt for finals, which is exciting for the next couple of weeks." "We've had some really close games but this gives us confidence we can do it ugly." With Romelda Aiken-George presenting a strong target and Tayla Williams impressing through the centre, Adelaide burst out to an 18-10 lead. Kiera Austin's quickfire two-pointer on the quarter-time siren dragged the margin back to 19-14 and gave the Vixens the momentum entering the second term. Melbourne's defensive trio Jo Weston, Kate Eddy and Rudi Ellis upped the physical pressure and the T'birds dropped off their hot early level as the Vixens trimmed the deficit to 30-29 at half-time. Adelaide superstar Latanya Wilson was creating havoc at goal defence but she lacked support as the home side continued to impose themselves. Sophie Garbin hit 11 without a miss, including the goal which gave Melbourne their first lead, 46-44 at the final change, which they held onto. The Vixens' frontcourt coughed up repeated turnovers in the fourth term while misfiring from long range. Horjus's two-pointer over Weston and Ellis gave Adelaide the lead for good as the visitors swamped Melbourne 12-7 i The Adelaide Thunderbirds have bounced back into the Super Netball top four, kept their three-peat dream alive and ended one of the longest droughts in Australian sport with a gritty 56-53 victory over the Melbourne Vixens. Remarkably given all their recent successes, it was the Thunderbirds' first away win over the Vixens since June 6, 2010 - 5511 days ago - snapping a 12-game losing streak against Melbourne in their own backyard at John Cain Arena on Sunday. Adelaide (6-6) set up their drought-breaking triumph with a barnstorming start and miserly finish after being challenged by the third-ranked Vixens (7-5) in the middle. Georgie Horjus was shifted from wing attack to goal attack midway through the second quarter and finished with seven goals without a miss - including two super shots - as well as nine assists to help end Melbourne's five-game winning stretch. "We probably didn't play our best netball but we grinded it out," Horjus said. "We knew we had to win, so now we're still in the hunt for finals, which is exciting for the next couple of weeks." "We've had some really close games but this gives us confidence we can do it ugly." With Romelda Aiken-George presenting a strong target and Tayla Williams impressing through the centre, Adelaide burst out to an 18-10 lead. Kiera Austin's quickfire two-pointer on the quarter-time siren dragged the margin back to 19-14 and gave the Vixens the momentum entering the second term. Melbourne's defensive trio Jo Weston, Kate Eddy and Rudi Ellis upped the physical pressure and the T'birds dropped off their hot early level as the Vixens trimmed the deficit to 30-29 at half-time. Adelaide superstar Latanya Wilson was creating havoc at goal defence but she lacked support as the home side continued to impose themselves. Sophie Garbin hit 11 without a miss, including the goal which gave Melbourne their first lead, 46-44 at the final change, which they held onto. The Vixens' frontcourt coughed up repeated turnovers in the fourth term while misfiring from long range. Horjus's two-pointer over Weston and Ellis gave Adelaide the lead for good as the visitors swamped Melbourne 12-7 i

News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Super Netball, round 12: Thunderbirds slay Vixens to boost three-peat hopes
Defending champions Adelaide Thunderbirds snapped Melbourne Vixens' five-game winning streak to breathe life into their finals quest and keep their three-peat dream alive. Bouncing back from last round's loss to the West Coast Fever, the Thunderbirds put the brakes on the Vixens' late-season charge to score a 56-53 Win at John Cain Arena. There was a scare for the Thunderbirds late in the game when star defender Latanya Wilson hobbled off the court with just 30 seconds left the match, but coach Tania Obst later revealed she had suffered cramps. Spearheaded by defensive menace Wilson, attacking young gun Georgie Horjus and shooting powerhouse Romelda Aiken-George, the win propelled the Thunderbirds back into the top four at the expense of the Lightning, who now sit outside on percentage. Melbourne remains in third position on the Super Netball ladder with two rounds to play. Last year's Super Netball grand final combatants, the Thunderbirds have now defeated the Vixens twice this season after their round one win in Adelaide. The Vixens had not been defeated since their round six loss to the Sunshine Coast Lightning - the day Simone McKinnis announced she would be stepping down as head coach at the end of the year. Aiken-George top-scored for the Thunderbirds with 41 goals from 47 attempts, while Horjus (7/7, including two super shots) also provided plenty of drive after shifting from wing to goal attack in the second quarter. Captain Kate Moloney led the charge in the midcourt for the Vixens, while Sophie Garbin top-scored for the home team with 38 goals from 41 attempts. The Thunderbirds got off to a flying start with Aiken establishing her presence under the post and Wilson causing trouble at the other end to open an eight-goal first-quarter lead. The Vixens struck back to win the second and third quarters as Obst shuffled her line-up across the court to find an answer to Melbourne's charge. With less than a minute on the clock, the Vixens fluffed several two-point chances in a desperate late bid to get over the line as the Thunderbirds held on. The Vixens face the Queensland Firebirds at home next Sunday for the penultimate round of the season, while the Thunderbirds host the Melbourne Mavericks.