The Thunderbirds have lost two games in a row in a shaky start to their preparation for a first finals appearance in 10 years. Catch up with all the round 13 Super Netball action.
Catch up with all the round 13 Super Netball action.
Thunderbirds take positives out of final round defeat
– Warren Partland
Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst admitted to frustration after dropping a second successive game with their first finals appearance in 10 years just two weeks away.
The Thunderbirds, beaten by two goals to Sunshine Coast Lightning at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, powered home with a 20-10 final quarter on the back of six two-point super shots.
The loss followed a defeat to bottom-placed Collingwood in Melbourne last week and threatens to derail the Thunderbirds’ bid for the crucial double chance in the finals.
Adelaide Entertainment Centre was packed to the rafters on Saturday night. Picture: Sue McKay/Getty Images
“This is a young team and we have given ourselves an opportunity to play finals with what we have done earlier in the year,” Obst said.
“I don’t know that I’m worried, probably a little frustrated that we can do that in one quarter, and we know we have it in us to do that for more than one quarter.
“We just have to be a little more consistent and put some processes in place at training so we can win more than one quarter.”
Obst said the Magpies and Lightning had been able to play with nothing-to-lose freedom, having already been ruled out of finals contention.
She had hoped for more energy in the group, but lamented it being up and down.
“We have had a conversation with the team and there are a few interesting things that come out of it, which has been great learning,” she said.
“We will review the game and get ready for the (NSW) Swifts next week.”
Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds felt it was her side’s best performance of 2023. Picture: Sue McKay/Getty Images
Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds described the win as the team’s best performance for the season.
She claimed her players had been really clinical, especially in attack, and had adopted a key asset, good ball speed.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries this season and we are just starting to consolidate some of our line-ups,” she said. “I do wish there were more games ahead of us this season.
“That was our most consistent performance and the girls really stuck to the game plan. I was very nervous in the final five minutes, we played too safe too early.”