Latest news with #MatildaGarrett
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
T'birds lock in finals spot, end Lightning's season
The two-time reigning champion Adelaide Thunderbirds have booked their place in the Super Netball finals after finishing the minor round with a hard-fought 59-55 victory over the Sunshine Coast Lightning. After trailing at quarter-time in Saturday night's winner-takes-all mini-elimination final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the Thunderbirds kept their dream of a historic championship three-peat alive with a commanding 19-10 second period. Defenders Matilda Garrett and Latanya Wilson combined for 14 deflections and five intercepts, while shooter Romelda Aiken-George paired 43 goals with eight rebounds. "Just absolute relief," Garrett said post-match. "I think everyone on our team was extremely nervous. "We've had belief all along that we can make the finals. "I'm just so proud that we're actually going to be there." It hasn't been all smooth sailing for Adelaide (8-6) in 2025, rocked after three rounds by the departure of Jamaican superstar Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, the world's best defender, through pregnancy. But they have hit form at the right time, winning four of their last five to set up a minor semi-final date with the Melbourne Vixens next weekend. If the Vixens upset the top-ranked West Coast Fever in Perth on Sunday, that semi-final will be held in Melbourne. If the Fever get up, Adelaide will host the Vixens. The Thunderbirds had some issues early, a lopsided 20-7 penalty count and a flurry of late goals from Cara Koenen giving the Lightning a 15-13 quarter-time cushion. Adelaide turned the tables emphatically in the second term. Aiken-George buried 15 goals, captain Hannah Petty subdued Liz Watson in the centre, and Sunshine Coast coughed up seven turnovers while chalking up an identical 20-7 penalty count to see the Thunderbirds motor ahead 32-25 at halftime. Tayla Williams, unused in the first half, subbed on for Petty midway through the third stanza and had an influence through the middle as the home side stayed in the driver's seat. The gap blew out to 11 midway through the fourth before the Lightning went on a two-point binge, eroding the deficit significantly but not enough to save their season. "Disappointed, of course," Sunshine Coast skipper Steph Fretwell said. "We started off the game really well, then the second quarter is when the game was won (by Adelaide)." The two-time reigning champion Adelaide Thunderbirds have booked their place in the Super Netball finals after finishing the minor round with a hard-fought 59-55 victory over the Sunshine Coast Lightning. After trailing at quarter-time in Saturday night's winner-takes-all mini-elimination final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the Thunderbirds kept their dream of a historic championship three-peat alive with a commanding 19-10 second period. Defenders Matilda Garrett and Latanya Wilson combined for 14 deflections and five intercepts, while shooter Romelda Aiken-George paired 43 goals with eight rebounds. "Just absolute relief," Garrett said post-match. "I think everyone on our team was extremely nervous. "We've had belief all along that we can make the finals. "I'm just so proud that we're actually going to be there." It hasn't been all smooth sailing for Adelaide (8-6) in 2025, rocked after three rounds by the departure of Jamaican superstar Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, the world's best defender, through pregnancy. But they have hit form at the right time, winning four of their last five to set up a minor semi-final date with the Melbourne Vixens next weekend. If the Vixens upset the top-ranked West Coast Fever in Perth on Sunday, that semi-final will be held in Melbourne. If the Fever get up, Adelaide will host the Vixens. The Thunderbirds had some issues early, a lopsided 20-7 penalty count and a flurry of late goals from Cara Koenen giving the Lightning a 15-13 quarter-time cushion. Adelaide turned the tables emphatically in the second term. Aiken-George buried 15 goals, captain Hannah Petty subdued Liz Watson in the centre, and Sunshine Coast coughed up seven turnovers while chalking up an identical 20-7 penalty count to see the Thunderbirds motor ahead 32-25 at halftime. Tayla Williams, unused in the first half, subbed on for Petty midway through the third stanza and had an influence through the middle as the home side stayed in the driver's seat. The gap blew out to 11 midway through the fourth before the Lightning went on a two-point binge, eroding the deficit significantly but not enough to save their season. "Disappointed, of course," Sunshine Coast skipper Steph Fretwell said. "We started off the game really well, then the second quarter is when the game was won (by Adelaide)." The two-time reigning champion Adelaide Thunderbirds have booked their place in the Super Netball finals after finishing the minor round with a hard-fought 59-55 victory over the Sunshine Coast Lightning. After trailing at quarter-time in Saturday night's winner-takes-all mini-elimination final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the Thunderbirds kept their dream of a historic championship three-peat alive with a commanding 19-10 second period. Defenders Matilda Garrett and Latanya Wilson combined for 14 deflections and five intercepts, while shooter Romelda Aiken-George paired 43 goals with eight rebounds. "Just absolute relief," Garrett said post-match. "I think everyone on our team was extremely nervous. "We've had belief all along that we can make the finals. "I'm just so proud that we're actually going to be there." It hasn't been all smooth sailing for Adelaide (8-6) in 2025, rocked after three rounds by the departure of Jamaican superstar Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, the world's best defender, through pregnancy. But they have hit form at the right time, winning four of their last five to set up a minor semi-final date with the Melbourne Vixens next weekend. If the Vixens upset the top-ranked West Coast Fever in Perth on Sunday, that semi-final will be held in Melbourne. If the Fever get up, Adelaide will host the Vixens. The Thunderbirds had some issues early, a lopsided 20-7 penalty count and a flurry of late goals from Cara Koenen giving the Lightning a 15-13 quarter-time cushion. Adelaide turned the tables emphatically in the second term. Aiken-George buried 15 goals, captain Hannah Petty subdued Liz Watson in the centre, and Sunshine Coast coughed up seven turnovers while chalking up an identical 20-7 penalty count to see the Thunderbirds motor ahead 32-25 at halftime. Tayla Williams, unused in the first half, subbed on for Petty midway through the third stanza and had an influence through the middle as the home side stayed in the driver's seat. The gap blew out to 11 midway through the fourth before the Lightning went on a two-point binge, eroding the deficit significantly but not enough to save their season. "Disappointed, of course," Sunshine Coast skipper Steph Fretwell said. "We started off the game really well, then the second quarter is when the game was won (by Adelaide)."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
T'birds lock in finals spot, end Lightning's season
The two-time reigning champion Adelaide Thunderbirds have booked their place in the Super Netball finals after finishing the minor round with a hard-fought 59-55 victory over the Sunshine Coast Lightning. After trailing at quarter-time in Saturday night's winner-takes-all mini-elimination final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the Thunderbirds kept their dream of a historic championship three-peat alive with a commanding 19-10 second period. Defenders Matilda Garrett and Latanya Wilson combined for 14 deflections and five intercepts, while shooter Romelda Aiken-George paired 43 goals with eight rebounds. "Just absolute relief," Garrett said post-match. "I think everyone on our team was extremely nervous. "We've had belief all along that we can make the finals. "I'm just so proud that we're actually going to be there." End to end 🤌🏼Watch every game live on Kayo Sports, Foxtel and Binge. — Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) July 12, 2025 It hasn't been all smooth sailing for Adelaide (8-6) in 2025, rocked after three rounds by the departure of Jamaican superstar Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, the world's best defender, through pregnancy. But they have hit form at the right time, winning four of their last five to set up a minor semi-final date with the Melbourne Vixens next weekend. If the Vixens upset the top-ranked West Coast Fever in Perth on Sunday, that semi-final will be held in Melbourne. If the Fever get up, Adelaide will host the Vixens. The Thunderbirds had some issues early, a lopsided 20-7 penalty count and a flurry of late goals from Cara Koenen giving the Lightning a 15-13 quarter-time cushion. Adelaide turned the tables emphatically in the second term. Aiken-George buried 15 goals, captain Hannah Petty subdued Liz Watson in the centre, and Sunshine Coast coughed up seven turnovers while chalking up an identical 20-7 penalty count to see the Thunderbirds motor ahead 32-25 at halftime. Tayla Williams, unused in the first half, subbed on for Petty midway through the third stanza and had an influence through the middle as the home side stayed in the driver's seat. The gap blew out to 11 midway through the fourth before the Lightning went on a two-point binge, eroding the deficit significantly but not enough to save their season. "Disappointed, of course," Sunshine Coast skipper Steph Fretwell said. "We started off the game really well, then the second quarter is when the game was won (by Adelaide)."
Mercury
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
TBirds star's telling call on Super Netball's big hits as three-peat bid heats up
Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Matilda Garrett says her team has been instructed to avoid making big hits as Super Netball's physicality has gone up a notch this season. The Thunderbirds are fourth on the ladder with two rounds remaining this season — after beating the Melbourne Vixens last weekend, they take on the Melbourne Mavericks and Sunshine Coast Lightning in the run to finals. Watch every game of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season, LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Netball has always been a contact sport but there have been some particularly heavy collisions on court this season as players go flying, desperate to get a hand on the ball and force a deflection. Earlier this season there was a brutal collision as Mavericks skipper Amy Parmenter got crunched by Firebird Macy Gardner, which sparked debate over whether it should have been a send-off. In another big hit, Swifts defender Tegan O'Shannassy crashed to the court after contesting a ball with Giants star Jaime-Lee Price. Speaking to Garrett said the TBirds aimed to 'stay in play' and avoid giving away penalties for big hits where possible. 'You know, there's so many strong bodies on the court,' Garrett. 'Specifically, I can talk on behalf of the Thunderbirds, we're always trying to be as clean as possible. 'Cathy Fellows, who is the mastermind behind our defensive game plan, she always will tell us to pull out if we're going to get called by the umpire because you want to continuously be applying pressure and as soon as the whistle is blown, then the pressure's no longer there. 'So I think for us, we're always continuously trying to stay in play and apply pressure as best as we can. 'In terms of the physicality of the season, I think it's hard to win intercepts and to win balls. 'So yeah, potentially that's where it might be perceived that the physically has increased, but I think it's been around for a few seasons now.' TBirds defender Matilda Garrett flies for a ball. (Photo by) It would be an incredible achievement given the TBirds have been without star goal keeper Shamera Sterling, who announced her pregnancy on the eve of the season. Garrett, who has made her Australian Diamonds debut in recent years, has been swapping GK and GD bibs with fellow Jamaican star Latanya Wilson in the defensive circle. 'I am probably more comfortable playing goal defence, but I think it's been an awesome opportunity to have a goal at keeper,' she said. TBirds defender Matilda Garrett is going for a third premiership. (Photo by) Plenty of teams have gone back-to-back to win domestic netball premierships, but the Thunderbirds are striving to outdo some of the greatest teams ever by winning three titles in a row. But the TBirds will have to get past pre-season favourites the NSW Swifts and the West Coast Fever, who have won 10 games in a row. 'It would mean the absolute world to us,' Garrett said about the prospecting of winning three premierships in a row. 'We know how hard it is to make finals, let alone win premierships. We're in a pretty cool position, but we're just gonna take it game by game and we've got to worry about this weekend and hopefully getting a win. and then one more game as well to try and secure finals. 'Then who knows what can happen in finals.' Garrett was full of praise for the Thunderbirds not-so-secret weapon George Horjus, who switched from wing attack to goal attack in last week's win over the Melbourne Vixens. 'Georgie just an absolute workhorse and she's extremely versatile,' Garrett said. Georgie Horjus is key to Adelaide's premiership hopes. (Photo by) 'It's pretty incredible. There's not many people that can play both goal attack and wing attack. 'She is just so seamless. Last week she started in wing attack and then was swung over into goal attack and her ability to go in and still be as accurate as what she is, is a credit to her. 'She just does so much work in our front line and she's also a big playmaker in both positions, which is pretty threatening. Georgie is a is a huge asset to our team.' Every match of round 13 is available to stream via Kayo Freebies or BINGE. Super Netball Round 13 (all times AEST) NSW Swifts vs Sunshine Coast Lightning — Saturday 5pm Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Melbourne Mavericks — Saturday 7pm Melbourne Vixens vs Queensland Firebirds — Sunday 2pm West Coast Fever vs Giants — Sunday 4pm Originally published as TBirds star's telling call on Super Netball's big hits as three-peat bid heats up
Herald Sun
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
TBirds star's telling call on Super Netball's big hits as three-peat bid heats up
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News. Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Matilda Garrett says her team has been instructed to avoid making big hits as Super Netball's physicality has gone up a notch this season. The Thunderbirds are fourth on the ladder with two rounds remaining this season — after beating the Melbourne Vixens last weekend, they take on the Melbourne Mavericks and Sunshine Coast Lightning in the run to finals. Watch every game of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season, LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Netball has always been a contact sport but there have been some particularly heavy collisions on court this season as players go flying, desperate to get a hand on the ball and force a deflection. Earlier this season there was a brutal collision as Mavericks skipper Amy Parmenter got crunched by Firebird Macy Gardner, which sparked debate over whether it should have been a send-off. In another big hit, Swifts defender Tegan O'Shannassy crashed to the court after contesting a ball with Giants star Jaime-Lee Price. Speaking to Garrett said the TBirds aimed to 'stay in play' and avoid giving away penalties for big hits where possible. 'You know, there's so many strong bodies on the court,' Garrett. 'Specifically, I can talk on behalf of the Thunderbirds, we're always trying to be as clean as possible. 'Cathy Fellows, who is the mastermind behind our defensive game plan, she always will tell us to pull out if we're going to get called by the umpire because you want to continuously be applying pressure and as soon as the whistle is blown, then the pressure's no longer there. 'So I think for us, we're always continuously trying to stay in play and apply pressure as best as we can. 'In terms of the physicality of the season, I think it's hard to win intercepts and to win balls. 'So yeah, potentially that's where it might be perceived that the physically has increased, but I think it's been around for a few seasons now.' TBirds defender Matilda Garrett flies for a ball. (Photo by) It would be an incredible achievement given the TBirds have been without star goal keeper Shamera Sterling, who announced her pregnancy on the eve of the season. Garrett, who has made her Australian Diamonds debut in recent years, has been swapping GK and GD bibs with fellow Jamaican star Latanya Wilson in the defensive circle. 'I am probably more comfortable playing goal defence, but I think it's been an awesome opportunity to have a goal at keeper,' she said. TBirds defender Matilda Garrett is going for a third premiership. (Photo by) Plenty of teams have gone back-to-back to win domestic netball premierships, but the Thunderbirds are striving to outdo some of the greatest teams ever by winning three titles in a row. But the TBirds will have to get past pre-season favourites the NSW Swifts and the West Coast Fever, who have won 10 games in a row. 'It would mean the absolute world to us,' Garrett said about the prospecting of winning three premierships in a row. 'We know how hard it is to make finals, let alone win premierships. We're in a pretty cool position, but we're just gonna take it game by game and we've got to worry about this weekend and hopefully getting a win. and then one more game as well to try and secure finals. 'Then who knows what can happen in finals.' Garrett was full of praise for the Thunderbirds not-so-secret weapon George Horjus, who switched from wing attack to goal attack in last week's win over the Melbourne Vixens. 'Georgie just an absolute workhorse and she's extremely versatile,' Garrett said. Georgie Horjus is key to Adelaide's premiership hopes. (Photo by) 'It's pretty incredible. There's not many people that can play both goal attack and wing attack. 'She is just so seamless. Last week she started in wing attack and then was swung over into goal attack and her ability to go in and still be as accurate as what she is, is a credit to her. 'She just does so much work in our front line and she's also a big playmaker in both positions, which is pretty threatening. Georgie is a is a huge asset to our team.' Every match of round 13 is available to stream via Kayo Freebies or BINGE. Super Netball Round 13 (all times AEST) NSW Swifts vs Sunshine Coast Lightning — Saturday 5pm Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Melbourne Mavericks — Saturday 7pm Melbourne Vixens vs Queensland Firebirds — Sunday 2pm West Coast Fever vs Giants — Sunday 4pm Originally published as TBirds star's telling call on Super Netball's big hits as three-peat bid heats up
Daily Telegraph
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
TBirds star's telling call on Super Netball's big hits as three-peat bid heats up
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News. Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Matilda Garrett says her team has been instructed to avoid making big hits as Super Netball's physicality has gone up a notch this season. The Thunderbirds are fourth on the ladder with two rounds remaining this season — after beating the Melbourne Vixens last weekend, they take on the Melbourne Mavericks and Sunshine Coast Lightning in the run to finals. Watch every game of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season, LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Netball has always been a contact sport but there have been some particularly heavy collisions on court this season as players go flying, desperate to get a hand on the ball and force a deflection. Earlier this season there was a brutal collision as Mavericks skipper Amy Parmenter got crunched by Firebird Macy Gardner, which sparked debate over whether it should have been a send-off. In another big hit, Swifts defender Tegan O'Shannassy crashed to the court after contesting a ball with Giants star Jaime-Lee Price. Speaking to Garrett said the TBirds aimed to 'stay in play' and avoid giving away penalties for big hits where possible. 'You know, there's so many strong bodies on the court,' Garrett. 'Specifically, I can talk on behalf of the Thunderbirds, we're always trying to be as clean as possible. 'Cathy Fellows, who is the mastermind behind our defensive game plan, she always will tell us to pull out if we're going to get called by the umpire because you want to continuously be applying pressure and as soon as the whistle is blown, then the pressure's no longer there. 'So I think for us, we're always continuously trying to stay in play and apply pressure as best as we can. 'In terms of the physicality of the season, I think it's hard to win intercepts and to win balls. 'So yeah, potentially that's where it might be perceived that the physically has increased, but I think it's been around for a few seasons now.' TBirds defender Matilda Garrett flies for a ball. (Photo by) It would be an incredible achievement given the TBirds have been without star goal keeper Shamera Sterling, who announced her pregnancy on the eve of the season. Garrett, who has made her Australian Diamonds debut in recent years, has been swapping GK and GD bibs with fellow Jamaican star Latanya Wilson in the defensive circle. 'I am probably more comfortable playing goal defence, but I think it's been an awesome opportunity to have a goal at keeper,' she said. TBirds defender Matilda Garrett is going for a third premiership. (Photo by) Plenty of teams have gone back-to-back to win domestic netball premierships, but the Thunderbirds are striving to outdo some of the greatest teams ever by winning three titles in a row. But the TBirds will have to get past pre-season favourites the NSW Swifts and the West Coast Fever, who have won 10 games in a row. 'It would mean the absolute world to us,' Garrett said about the prospecting of winning three premierships in a row. 'We know how hard it is to make finals, let alone win premierships. We're in a pretty cool position, but we're just gonna take it game by game and we've got to worry about this weekend and hopefully getting a win. and then one more game as well to try and secure finals. 'Then who knows what can happen in finals.' Garrett was full of praise for the Thunderbirds not-so-secret weapon George Horjus, who switched from wing attack to goal attack in last week's win over the Melbourne Vixens. 'Georgie just an absolute workhorse and she's extremely versatile,' Garrett said. Georgie Horjus is key to Adelaide's premiership hopes. (Photo by) 'It's pretty incredible. There's not many people that can play both goal attack and wing attack. 'She is just so seamless. Last week she started in wing attack and then was swung over into goal attack and her ability to go in and still be as accurate as what she is, is a credit to her. 'She just does so much work in our front line and she's also a big playmaker in both positions, which is pretty threatening. Georgie is a is a huge asset to our team.' Every match of round 13 is available to stream via Kayo Freebies or BINGE. Super Netball Round 13 (all times AEST) NSW Swifts vs Sunshine Coast Lightning — Saturday 5pm Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Melbourne Mavericks — Saturday 7pm Melbourne Vixens vs Queensland Firebirds — Sunday 2pm West Coast Fever vs Giants — Sunday 4pm Originally published as TBirds star's telling call on Super Netball's big hits as three-peat bid heats up
