Jamaican defensive dynamo Latanya Wilson delivered a record-equalling performance to inspire the Adelaide Thunderbirds to a crucial 60–49 win over the Melbourne Mavericks in a spirited First Nations Round contest at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

Wilson, a relentless force in the goalkeeper position, finished with nine intercepts and nine deflections, which matched the all-time Super Netball record, as the Thunderbirds solidified their push for a finals berth. Her display helped smother the Mavericks’ attack, including compatriot Shimona Jok, who had carried the bulk of the scoring load for her side.

At the opposite end of the court, another Jamaican star, Romelda Aiken-George, anchored the Thunderbirds’ shooting circle with a clinical 49 goals from 55 attempts. She found strong support from Kayla Graham (six from six) and Lauren Frew, who added four goals, including a pinpoint supershot, while Georgie Horjus scored her lone attempt before an early injury scare. 

The victory elevated the Thunderbirds—known by their First Nations name, Tartanya Karntu—to third place on the ladder with 28 points, as they kept their dreams of a historic three-peat very much alive. Meanwhile, the Mavericks remain stuck in sixth on 16 points.

Though the Thunderbirds dominated large stretches of the match, the win did not come without challenges. The home side’s attacking structure was rattled early when Horjus left the court within five minutes after a wrist knock. But her return in the second quarter restored balance to the front end, while Wilson continued to wreak havoc defensively.

The Thunderbirds raced to a 17–12 lead in the first quarter and completely shut the door in the second, where they outscored the Mavericks 16–7 to take a commanding 33–19 advantage into the half. Wilson’s defensive heroics were matched by the Thunderbirds’ discipline across the court, as they forced turnovers and stifled the Mavericks’ ability to build fluid passages of play.

However, the Mavericks found a spark after the break. Led by Jok’s 37 goals from 44 attempts and super shot efforts from Uneeq Palavi, who scored a perfect four from four, and Sasha Glasgow (four goals from eight attempts), they clawed back some momentum in the third quarter. A clutch supershot from Glasgow even cut the deficit to eight at one point.

Despite a spirited push, any hope of a Mavericks comeback was not to be, as the Thunderbirds held firm in the final stanza and closed out the contest with confidence and composure.

With one round to come in the regular season, the Thunderbirds now gear up for a must-win showdown against Sunshine Coast Lightning in a clash that could define their title defence, while the Mavericks' final assignment will be against the GIANTS.