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News•about 9 hours ago

Super Netball Grand Final: Unbeaten Thunderbirds Battle Reigning Vixens for Premiership Glory

The Australian netball season culminates tonight in a highly anticipated Super Netball grand final, as the formidable Adelaide Thunderbirds prepare to challenge the reigning champions, the Melbourne Vixens, at a sold-out John Cain Arena. This clash promises a thrilling climax to a season marked by exceptional performances and compelling narratives.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds enter this high-stakes encounter as minor premiers, having navigated the season with remarkable dominance, suffering only a solitary defeat. Their coach, Tania Obst, aims to guide her squad to a third premiership, a testament to their consistent excellence. The Melbourne Vixens, meanwhile, are fervently pursuing back-to-back championships, a feat that would solidify their status as a modern netball dynasty.

Opening Line-ups Revealed

As the teams prepare to take the court, the initial player configurations have been confirmed.

Adelaide Thunderbirds

The Thunderbirds maintain an unchanged line-up from their semi-final victory, indicating confidence in their established combinations. However, whispers from the Fox Netball broadcast suggest a potential concern regarding Matilda Garrett, who reportedly missed the final training sessions due to an unspecified illness or injury. Her performance will be closely monitored.

  • GS: Elmere van der Berg
  • GA: Lauren Frew
  • WA: Georgie Horjus
  • C: Kate Heffernan
  • WD: Latanya Wilson
  • GD: Matilda Garrett
  • GK: Shamera Sterling-Humphrey
  • Subs: Sophie Casey, Kayla Graham, Tayla Williams

Melbourne Vixens

Under the guidance of head coach Di Honey, who has steered her team to the grand final in her inaugural year at the helm, the Vixens have made strategic adjustments. Zara Walters earns a starting position at wing attack, rewarded for her outstanding form in the preliminary final, ahead of the usually preferred Hannah Mundy. Rudi Ellis also retains her starting goal keeper bib, having impressed last Saturday and demonstrating her capability to contain the potent Elmeré van der Berg.

  • GS: Sophie Garbin
  • GA: Kiera Austin
  • WA: Zara Walters
  • C: Kate Moloney
  • WD: Kate Eddy
  • GD: Jo Weston
  • GK: Rudi Ellis
  • Subs: Lily Graham, Emily Mannix, Hannah Mundy

Stories Beyond the Court

Beyond the tactical battles, this grand final features deeply personal narratives that resonate with fans.

The Heartfelt Return of Shamera Sterling-Humphrey

Thunderbirds goal keeper Shamera Sterling-Humphrey's journey back to the court this season is truly inspiring. After missing most of last year due to pregnancy and openly discussing her battle with postpartum depression, Sterling-Humphrey has articulated how netball serves as her sanctuary and motivator. While a two-time premiership winner with the Thunderbirds (2023, 2024), she shared that a championship victory this year would carry profound personal significance, given the immense challenges she has overcome to compete at this elite level.

Mabel's Grand Final Debut

Much attention this season has focused on the mothers returning to Super Netball following a recent baby boom. Emily Mannix, a veteran Vixens player, shared her poignant birth story about her daughter Mabel's challenging start to life. Today, Mabel is thriving and has become a beloved fixture at Vixens games, charming crowds with her appearances on the big screen, clapping and dancing during preliminary final celebrations. Spectators will undoubtedly be on the lookout for her tonight, adding a touch of heartwarming joy to the proceedings.

Tactical Edge: Why Thunderbirds Are Favourites

The Thunderbirds' dominant season record is not their only asset. Their squad depth is unparalleled, featuring versatile players who can seamlessly transition between positions. Georgie Horjus, for instance, often commences at wing attack before shifting to goal attack, while Jamaican star Latanya Wilson expertly alternates between wing defence and goal defence. These tactical flexibility, a hallmark of Coach Tania Obst's strategy, allows for dynamic adjustments throughout a match.

Furthermore, Adelaide secured two of the season's most impactful imports: New Zealand centre Kate Heffernan and South African shooter Elmeré van der Berg. Both have quickly acclimatized to the league, delivering exceptional form and demonstrating a direct, high-scoring approach. Neutralizing these key international talents will be critical for the Vixens if they hope to disrupt the Thunderbirds' rhythm.

The Vixens' GK Conundrum

A persistent talking point for the Vixens has been head coach Di Honey's strategic deployment of her three formidable goal keepers against the powerful Elmeré van der Berg.

  • Jo Weston: The Diamonds stalwart typically excels at goal defence but has been deployed at goal keeper at times this season. Known for her tenacious, one-on-one style and relentless pressure, Weston (188cm) offers consistency. When she's shifted to GK, Kate Eddy often partners her inside the circle. While this combination started the major semi-final, its efficacy waned, suggesting it might be better utilized as an impact substitution.
  • Rudi Ellis: As the tallest option at 190cm, Ellis is usually the Vixens' starting GK. Despite playing only seven minutes in the major semi-final for tactical reasons, she returned with a vengeance in the preliminary final. Motivated to prove herself, Ellis delivered a player-of-the-match performance, tallying three gains, five deflections, one intercept, and one rebound in 50 minutes, playing a crucial role in establishing an early lead. Her continued presence in the starting seven underscores her impressive recent form.
  • Emily Mannix: A veteran at 188cm, Mannix made her Vixens debut in 2015. After sitting out the 2025 season following health complications with her daughter, Mabel, Mannix has returned as an impact player this year. Despite limited court time across 14 appearances, she has proven effective, particularly against van der Berg, making her a potential surprise starter if Honey aims to catch the Thunderbirds off guard.

Road to the Final: Head-to-Head & Form

The rivalry between these two powerhouses has been intense this season. They split their regular season encounters, with the Vixens securing a 56-50 victory in Round 6, and the Thunderbirds dominating Round 12 with a 61-42 win. The Thunderbirds then reinforced their superiority by winning the major semi-final 58-44.

Recent finals history also highlights their fierce competition:

  • 2025: Minor semi-final - Vixens won, 58-56
  • 2024: Major semi-final - Thunderbirds won, 69-43; Grand final - Thunderbirds won, 59-57

In terms of recent form, the Thunderbirds suffered their only defeat of the year in Round 6 and have since embarked on an impressive nine-game winning streak en route to the grand final. The Vixens, after snapping a four-game losing streak earlier in the season, have found their rhythm when it matters most, securing their place in the decider.

The Grand Final Overtime Protocol

Should the score be deadlocked after 60 minutes of regulation play, the Super Netball grand final will proceed to extra time, mirroring the regular season format. Teams will engage in two five-minute halves, with a swap of ends at the beginning and mid-point of the extra period. The two-point Super Shot remains active throughout this duration, and coaches will not have access to timeouts. If the score remains tied after these additional 10 minutes, the game will automatically roll into 'double extra time', continuing until one team establishes a three-point lead, ensuring a definitive winner.