Jamaican defender Latanya Wilson delivered another MVP-worthy performance, which inspired Adelaide Thunderbirds to a welcome 62–53 victory over the Queensland Firebirds in their Suncorp Super Netball League (SSN) clash at Nissan Arena on Saturday.
With the reigning champions reeling from back-to-back losses, Wilson stepped up in a major way, as she remains a growing influence in a team still adjusting to life without pregnant defensive linchpin Shamera Sterling-Humphrey.
Wilson's six intercepts and 10 gains anchored a revitalised defensive unit and helped steer the Thunderbirds back on the winning trail. At the other end of the court, compatriot and former Firebirds star Romelda Aiken-George overcame a shaky start to lead the Thunderbirds' scoring with 34 goals from 46 attempts.
The win lifts the Thunderbirds to 12 points, the same as third-placed West Coast Fever, who they are scheduled to lock horns with in a blockbuster Round Six showdown. The unbeaten NSW Swifts remain atop the standings on 16 points ahead of their Round Five clash with Melbourne Vixens.
Despite coming in as underdogs, the Firebirds started brighter, as they capitalised on early Thunderbirds errors to build a five-goal cushion. Mary Cholhok was clinical under the post with 35 goals from 43 attempts, while Emily Moore energized the attack with three long-range supershots among her 14 goals.
Romelda Aiken-George (left) looks on as her Thunderbirds teammate goes for a shot. (Photos: Getty Images)
The first Power Five period turned into a thrilling shootout. Thunderbirds’ Lauren Frew kept her side in the hunt with a flawless three-from-three at the supershot line, but Moore answered in kind to help the Firebirds edge the opening quarter 19–17.
Aiken-George, who scored only four goals from nine attempts at the start, found her rhythm in the second quarter, while Frew continued her perfect night under the post, where she shot a perfect 18 from 18 and later added another supershot to her tally. Kayla Graham also chipped in with two goals from two attempts.
On the defensive end, Wilson and Matilda Garrett, who played in an unfamiliar goalkeeper role, disrupted the Firebirds’ flow, and their hustle propelled the Thunderbirds to a 33–30 halftime lead.
The third quarter was a scrappy affair as both teams traded turnovers and defensive stops. Though the Thunderbirds edged ahead, the Firebirds remained within reach with the score at 45–41 heading into the decisive quarter.
There, the Firebirds came out more purposeful and rapidly cut into the deficit before an expertly timed Thunderbirds timeout stalled their momentum. In fact, the timeout by head coach Tania Obst also reset her team's composure, as Wilson took over from there. She shut down the Firebirds’ late chances, while Aiken-George and Frew capitalised in attack to seal the deal.