Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls rallied from six goals down at halftime to secure a dramatic 49-49 draw with England’s Roses in a nail-biting opening contest of their four-game Horizon Netball Series at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday.

Latanya Wilson, showcasing her versatility and tenacity at wing defence, earned the Player of the Game award for her outstanding performance, which included critical interceptions and relentless pressure on England’s attackers.

While proud of her team’s effort, Wilson, who represents Adelaide Thunderbirds in Australia’s Suncorp League, acknowledged that they had much work to do, especially with this being their first international outing since last year’s Netball World Cup.

“I think it was pretty much a close game; we knew that we were in it, and we came to win it, so I am proud of myself and the team’s effort to at least draw the game, so well done to us. So I am very pleased, but there is a lot more work to get done, and we are going to do things step-by-step, and we are going to give it our all,” Wilson said in a post-game interview.

Jamaica's Latanya Wilson tries to disrupt England's play.

The match began with both teams showing flashes of brilliance but also committing early turnovers. England’s match-fitness from their recent series win over New Zealand—to move to number two on the ranking chart—was evident as they displayed better composure and consistency for the most parts.

Still, the Jamaicans, who won bronze at last year’s Netball World Cup, did well to disrupt England’s fluency in patches but struggled to capitalize on opportunities as both teams ended the first quarter locked at 13-13.

Abigale Sutherland replaced Crystal Plummer at centre for Jamaica at the start of the second quarter, but an early turnover from their centre pass set the tone for a challenging period.

England, bolstered by sharp passing and disciplined shooting from Helen Housby, took charge of the contest in the second quarter as they outscored the Jamaicans 13-7.

The hosts were also aided by tidy defensive work from Imogen Allison and Funmi Fadoju, who were effective against the towering Romelda Aiken-George in the shooting circle for Jamaica.

In fact, England-born Rhea Dixon’s introduction at wing attack provided some creativity for Jamaica, but their inconsistency allowed England to maintain control for much of the quarter, and they opened up a six-goal lead, 26-20 at the interval.

Jamaica's Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and England's Olivia Tchine challenge for possession. (Photo: Skysports)

Jamaica came out spiritedly in the third quarter, forcing a few turnovers, but in the same push, returned possession by virtue of unforced errors. England capitalized and extended their lead to eight goals. 

However, the Sunshine Girls gradually found their rhythm and rallied to cut the deficit. By the five-minute mark, they trailed by just one goal, 33-32, but missed opportunities kept England in the driver’s seat, as the Roses again pulled away to lead 38-35 entering the final quarter.

Jamaica knew they needed a flawless fourth quarter to mount a comeback, and they responded with resilience. They leveled the score at 39-39 with over 11 minutes left and ignited a thrilling end-to-end battle.

The Sunshine Girls surged ahead 44-42 with less than eight minutes to play, but a sloppy centre pass allowed England to claw their way back.

A crucial offside turnover by Jamaica with less than three minutes remaining presented a chance to seal the game, but the opportunity went begging and England capitalized to go up 49-47 with less than a minute remaining.

Just when it seemed as England had the first win in the bag, up came Jamaica’s ever-reliable goalkeeper Shamera Sterling-Humphrey to snatch possession from Lois Pearson in the dying seconds.

Though Aiken-George missed her two attempts, goal attack Shanice Beckford showed steely nerves to secure the dramatic equalizer. 

Sunshine Girls head coach Sasher-Gaye Henry praised her team’s determination but stressed the need for improved consistency.

“We showed great heart today. I think the first time playing in 15 months is really a big thing for us as it starts our journey (to the next World Cup), so I am quite pleased with what we saw. We still have some rough edges to fix, but England gave us a fair contest; we knew they were going to come hard, and I am glad that our girls stood tall to the task,” Henry said.

With the series finely balanced, both teams will head into Sunday’s second game with renewed determination, eager to gain the upper hand ahead of the Jamaican leg scheduled for November 25 and 26. 

Sunday’s game is set for 9:00 am Jamaica time.

NB: The Horizon Netball Series can be seen live on SportsMax and the SportsMax app.

Sixteen seasons, seven Grand Finals, and four Premierships. 

Romelda Aiken-George’s CV borders on unrivalled in Australian netball circles, making it even more incredible that she has been one of the final players signed over the past two Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League seasons.

The Jamaican superstar played every game of the 2023 season for the NSW Swifts as a replacement player, including a losing Grand Final against the Thunderbirds, but was informed she would not be offered a Swifts contract ahead of the 2024 campaign. 

“At the end of last season, I knew my role in the Swifts environment,” Aiken-George said. 

Fortunately for Aiken-George, the Adelaide Thunderbirds, which also boast her Jamaican compatriots Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson, were in the market for an experienced goal shooter. 

“Tania made it clear, 'you’re coming to play your role. You’re not filling in for anyone; you’re just coming in to do your thing'. I knew I still had so much more to give,” Aiken-George explained. 

Since joining the Thunderbirds, Aiken-George has flourished under the tutelage of Obst.

The Sunshine Girl veteran played every game of the Thunderbirds premiership campaign, as she tallied more than 500 goals and led the league in offensive rebounds. 

Aiken-George cut a cool and composed figure in the goal circle for the Thunderbirds all season, offering a consistent out ball for those up court. 

She saved her best until last, though, with the champion shooter named the 2024 Grand Final Player of the Match with 42 goals and 10 offensive rebounds. 

Reflecting on the campaign, the 35-year-old said the Thunderbirds environment has allowed the best version of herself to flourish. 

“This environment I’m in, everyone is always having a hand in what I do, making sure when I rock up to training, I’m in the best mental headspace. When I look back at when I first came here, I was very closed off, but just being here, I feel like everyone helps me to bring out my weapon and to be comfortable,” Aiken-George shared.

“In that final game, Tania said something to me, and I went back out on court, and my shoulders felt as big as a backboard, and I felt like a superwoman,” she added.

With 227 games of national league experience, Aiken-George is well placed to comment on club environments and coaching structures. 

She said the Thunderbirds approach is unique and believes the open lines of communication between Obst and her players were key to their success. 

“This group is just so amazing. Every week we held each other so accountable, and there was a lot of space for learning each week. The way we analyse the game is so different from any other team I’ve been a part of, and by doing that, we pick up on little things I don’t think other teams pick up on,” Aiken-George reasoned.

“The way we look at the game through our own eyes and then chat with Tania, it’s just so great. By having those tough conversations each week, we grew and grew every week. We expect so much from each other, but in a loving way. We’ve got something special over here,” she noted.

Despite missing the 2022 season due to pregnancy, Aiken-George has maintained her lofty standards since her return, but she was quick to point out that the drive to improve still burns deep inside her. 

“I’m still trying to find ways I can make myself better. I’m just one of many women who have had a child and gone back into sports yearning for success, because that’s how we rate how we’ve done. So, I just want to play, and I just love the game,” Aiken-George ended.

Shanice Beckford’s fairly successful debut season with West Coast Fever in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League has not only rekindled her passion for the sport but also strengthened her resolve to continue representing Jamaica on the international stage.

Simply put, Beckford has found a new lease on life in her career.

Prior to joining West Coast Fever, where the professional environment, high level of competition, and team camaraderie were just what she needed to lift her spirit, Beckford toyed with the idea of retirement. This, as the wear and tear of the sport in a career spanning over a decade, coupled with personal and professional challenges, had taken its toll.

That, along with the fact that Beckford was convinced she had accomplished all she set out to, was among reasons why she was ready to walk away from the sport she first fell in love with as a teenager.

“I was seriously considering hanging up my shoes because, at that point, I was struggling to find the motivation to play netball at all levels. I felt like I had reached a point where I couldn't give it anymore,” Beckford shared.

“But I am now feeling more motivated than before after experiencing the game at a new level. Every week in the SSN felt like a grand final and that reignited my passion for the game, so sometimes it just takes a change of scenery and a competitive atmosphere to get back in the right frame of mind because it definitely reminded me of why I fell in love with netball in the first place,” she told Sportsmax.TV from her base in Perth, Australia.

While her task on the star-studded Fever cast was to play a supporting role for compatriot and decorated goal-shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Beckford’s agility, sharp shooting, and strategic play were not to be outdone.

In fact, those attributes not only made her a standout player in the league, but the goal-attack quickly became a fan favorite and a key player for the Fever. The Perth-based franchise ended the season in third place as Adelaide Thunderbirds—the team of Jamaicans Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson, and Romelda Aiken-George—retained their crown.

Beckford registered 100 goals from 151 attempts, complemented by four intercepts, nine deflections, four rebounds, and 678 Nissan Net Points in 16 games played for the Dan Ryan-coached franchise.

“I believe that my performances exceeded both my coach's and my own expectations. Personally, being in this high-functioning, high-performance environment has greatly contributed to my development and assisted me in unlocking the next level of my game.

“From a team perspective, I feel that my role as a team player, bringing a unique skillset, has been invaluable to our collective efforts and was great to work with. The level of competitiveness in the team ensured that every game felt like a new opportunity to prove myself, so I am very pleased considering it was my debut season,” Beckford noted.

Still, the 29-year-old, like any athlete who aspires to greatness, knows there is much to improve on.

“I've always known that embarking on this new journey would present significant challenges for me. It's an unfamiliar environment and a step up from what I'm used to. Throughout the season, I found it difficult to maintain consistency and awareness, and that resulted in a bit of a rollercoaster ride,” Beckford explained.

She continued: “Nevertheless, I exerted maximum effort in every possible way to persevere and continue working diligently. This experience has taught me the lesson that during trying times, resilient individuals push through, and so I have to stay focused amidst the chaos.

“So I know that there are always areas for me to constantly improve on, and the biggest one for me would be consistency because for any player, continued improvement is crucial. Although I maintained a positive mindset, I am aware of specific areas I need to enhance in order to remain competitive and consistent throughout the season.”

Whether she will be retained by West Coast Fever is left to be seen, but Beckford is optimistic about staying with the club for the foreseeable future.

“The evaluation process is currently underway where the club determines which players will be re-signed, so I am not sure what the outcome will be, but I would love to continue playing in SSN,” Beckford stated.

“If it doesn’t work out, then I will leave knowing I gave it my all and had a wonderful experience, one that I'm grateful for. The league offers unparalleled exposure and experience, and I am confident that I will be better prepared to handle the upcoming season because I’m playing with a renewed sense of purpose and joy,” she added.

By all indications, Beckford’s positive experience with the Fever will certainly spill over on the international stage, as she has committed to the next four-year cycle with the Sunshine Girls with hopes of adding to her three Commonwealth Games medals, three Fast5 medals, and one Netball World Cup medal.

The soft-spoken player’s first assignment will be a home-and-away series against England in November, where she aims to not only display her improved skills and strategies but also a renewed enthusiasm that is contagious.

“Playing in the Super Netball (SSN) league has significantly influenced how I plan to approach the upcoming international games. It has provided me with valuable experience and insights, shaping my mindset and enhancing my performance. The opportunity to compete at such a high level consistently is a great feeling, and I am confident that this experience will greatly contribute to my level of readiness for the England series, should I be chosen to participate,” Beckford stated.

“So I am really looking forward to it, but my goal is to be selected first and then get stuck back into national training because I am committing to the next four-year cycle to focus on playing some great netball and being courageous. I'm also excited to work with a former teammate [Sasher-Gaye Henry], who is now head coach for the Sunshine Girls,” she ended.

It was another masterful display from Jamaican trio Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson, and Romelda Aiken-George that ensured Adelaide Thunderbirds retained their Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League title as they edged Melbourne Vixens 59-57 in extra-time of a pulsating final at a sold-out Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

The relentless efforts of dynamic defensive duo Sterling-Humphrey and Wilson, coupled with the shooting prowess of the towering Aiken-George, not only underscored their immense class and quality, but more importantly, spurred the Thunderbirds to back-to-back premiership glory, a feat that only one other club has ever achieved in the SSN era.

Aiken-George, who joined the franchise at the top of the season, was named Finals MVP for her 41 goals from 51 attempts. She was supported by Lauren Frew, who scored a perfect 10 goals from as many attempts, while Georgie Horjus scored seven goals from eight attempts.

Meanwhile, Sophie Garbin scored 22 goals from 24 attempts, and Kiera Austin scored 21 goals from 24 attempts and seven two-goal Supershot efforts from as many attempts.

Romelda Aiken-George was named Finals MVP.

The Thunderbirds, like they have done all season, showed grit and determination, as Sterling-Humphrey and Wilson did what they do best. While they didn't reach their usual heights on the stat sheet, the dynamic duo wore down their Melbourne-based opponent’s attack, which started in red-hot form.

Sterling-Humphrey and Wilson combined for six gains but didn’t have everything their way in the early exchanges, as Austin’s smarts in the circle and Vixens' quick ball movement proved a challenge for the world-class Thunderbirds defenders.

After trailing by five, the Thunderbirds were forced to call a timeout to reset, which worked to some extent as they reduced the deficit to trail by three, 13-16, at the end of the opening quarter.

With Matilda Garrett, Sterling-Humphrey, and Wilson quiet at that point, Thunderbirds Head coach Tania Obst was forced to make some changes.

Jamaica's Wilson (second left) and Sterling-Humphrey (second right) celebrate with teammates.

Wilson was moved into goal defence, Tayla Williams into wing defence and skipper Hannah Petty was injected into centre to steady the ship.

And it worked.

From there, the Thunderbirds forced the Vixens into a number of errors to claw back the margin, outscoring their opponents 15-12 as they went into the half-time interval 28-28.

Sterling-Humphrey worked herself into the game in the second half, with Wilson by her side, wearing Austin like a glove down the court.

At the other end, Simone McKinnis handed Emily Mannix the job of quelling Aiken-George, but it proved futile given the height miss-match as the Thunderbirds took a one-goal lead at 42-41 to end the third quarter. 

As anticipated, the Thunderbirds, spurred by the electric home crowd, rattled the Vixens in the final quarter and raced to a six-goal lead at one point.

Kiera Austin was the standout Vixens performer.

However, Austin, who enjoyed superb form on the night, cut the deficit with her hot hand from the Supershot range.

In fact, a late turnover from Laura Scherian gave the Melbourne team a sniff of victory with less than two minutes to go, but Sophie Garbin missed a crucial Supershot in the dying moments and so it took extra time to decide a winner.

Jamaica’s trio of Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson, and Romelda Aiken-George will again grace the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League’s big stage, as Adelaide Thunderbirds secured a spot in the grand final with a dominant 68-43 win over Melbourne Vixens in the major semi-final at Adelaide 36ers Arena on Saturday.

Aiken-George again led from the front with 39 goals from 44 attempts, while Lauren Frew had 18 goals from 18 attempts, including a Super Shot worth two goals. Lucy Austin (10 goals from 11 attempts), and Georgie Horjus, with a solitary goal from three attempts, got in on the act in the 25-goal blowout.

An elated Wilson told SportsMax.TV that last week’s narrow two-goal win over Sunshine Coast Lightning, served as motivation for this, the biggest finals winning margin in Suncorp Super Netball history.

“From the outside looking in, it might seem easy, but it is never easy. However, I believe we needed that close game last week to motivate us to win this one by such a wide margin, especially with a spot in the final up for grabs,” she shared shortly after the win.

Sterling-Humphrey registered 300-intercept milestone.

While it will be back-to-back finals for Wilson and Sterling-Humphrey with the reigning champions, it will be Aiken-George’s first with the Thunderbirds, as she joined the franchise earlier in the season. However, the towering goal shooter won three Premierships in a 14-season stint with Queensland Firebirds and, as such, is no stranger to being in a final.

“I know the capabilities of my team, and I am sure that we have the ability to go back-to-back. We are a team that is evolving, and we are playing each game on its merit. We don’t talk about the game; we play it. So from here, it is just to rest, recover, and prepare for whoever we will meet in the final,” Wilson noted.

Meanwhile, the Vixens, who got their goals from Kiera Austin (16 goals from 19 attempts), Sophie Garbin (15 goals from 19 attempts), and Lily Graham (12 goals from 13 attempts), will have a second shot at making the grand final. They will face the winner of the minor semi-final to be decided between West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Spurred on by a sell-out crowd at Adelaide 36ers Arena, the Thunderbirds went straight to work from the start, as they opened up a six-goal lead at 19-13 to end the first quarter.

Defenders Sterling-Humphrey, Wilson, and company then applied consistent pressure to shut down Vixens’ attackers in the second quarter, and that resulted in the Thunderbirds outscoring the opponents 19-9 for a massive 16-goal lead—38-22—at the half-time interval.

The Vixens were well off colour where ball-handling and shooting accuracy are concerned, and that made life much easier for the Thunderbirds, who rode their momentum in the third quarter to extend the lead to 22 goals at 54-22 heading into the final quarter.

With such a wide lead, one would think the Tania Obst-coached Thunderbirds would relent, but not if Sterling-Humphrey had anything to say about it. The 28-year-old, as she has done all season, again paraded her athleticism and impressive timing to register a 300-intercept milestone.

In fact, she ended the contest with 14 gains and five intercepts, while Wilson had five gains, and Tayla Williams proved the link in mid-court with 19 goal assists and two gains as the Thunderbirds wrapped up an emphatic victory.

They are set to host the final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on August 3.

Adelaide Thunderbirds extended their unbeaten run with another dazzling performance as they romped to a 73-58 win over Melbourne Vixens in a lopsided Round 12 top-of-the-ladder clash at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on Saturday.

Thunderbirds attacking charge was again led by Romelda Aiken-George, who scored 47 goals from 53 attempts, as Georgie Horjus and Lucy Austin chipped in with 12 goals and nine goals from 11 and 10 attempts respectively. Lauren Frew had a perfect five goals from five attempts.

Meanwhile, Sophie Garbin had 29 goals from 31 attempts for the Vixens, with Kiera Austin (27 goals from 27 attempts) and Lily Graham with a single two-point Supershot, contributing the others.

Both teams produced a clinical display in the early exchanges as they demonstrated why they are the two best teams in the competition. The Vixens were first to slip up, with suffocating defensive pressure from the Thunderbirds forcing the visitors into a few errors.

Still, the contest remained evenly poised at 15-15 at the end of the first quarter.

However, the Thunderbirds found an extra spark in the second quarter and briskly raced to a seven-goal lead early, courtesy of some impressive defending by Jamaican Latanya Wilson, who robbed a few Vixens possession, which the shooters capitalised on.

The Vixens tried to trim the margin in the Power Five, but Matilda Garrett and another Jamaican standout Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, forced the Vixens to work overtime in the goal circle to find space and shoot. That coupled with a bit of magic from Aiken-George, ensured Thunderbirds remained seven goals ahead at 32-25 at halftime. 

Melbourne Mavericks in action against Sunshine Coast Lightning.

The Vixens were more settled to begin the third quarter, as the Thunderbirds found it harder to move the ball into their attacking third. Despite Vixens hard-fought battle to close the gap from 10 goals down during the Power Five, Thunderbirds remained eight goals up at 51-43 heading into the final quarter, which was a mere formality.

This, as the Thunderbirds went from strength-to-strength in that final quarter and outplayed the Vixens in all departments to power to a commanding 25-goal win, with Sterling-Humphrey named as the match MVP.

Elsewhere, another Jamaican Shimona Jok scored 42 goals from 43 attempts to assist Melbourne Mavericks to a 72-71 win over Sunshine Coast Lightning in a nail-biting encounter in Hobart.

Along with Jok, Mavericks had clinical performances from Gabrielle Sinclair, who scored a couple of two-point Supershots in her five goals from three attempts, while Eleanor Cardwell had four Supershots in her 25 goals from 22 attempts.

Cara Koenen (39 goals from 42 attempts), Steph Fretwell (26 goals from 26 attempts) and Reilley Batcheldor (six goals from six attempts) also showed good knick for the Lightning in a losing cause.

With both teams desperate to sit in that elusive top four spot as the road to finals closes in, every play and decision was critical throughout the thrilling contest.

But, it was the Mavericks, who held their nerves best and took a massive stride closer to breaking through that top four, as they now sit level with Lightning on the ladder on 20 points apiece.

Adelaide Thunderbirds Head coach Tania Obst has lauded the work rate of Jamaican Latanya Wilson in the push to retain their title, as they dynamic defender consistently displays immense potential and versatility on a weekly basis in the Suncorp Super Netball League.

Obst’s praise for Wilson follows the Thunderbirds’ comprehensive 26-goal win over the Melbourne Mavericks last Saturday, which kept their spotless home record alive this season. In fact, that win not only pushed Thunderbirds up to second on the ladder, but more importantly, guaranteed them finals action in 2024.

The competitions best defence were at their stingy best once again, keeping the Mavericks to just 41 goals, and just 16 goals from a mere 20 attempts in the second half. 

Mavericks fans might have expected their side to make inroads in the second quarter when Thunderbirds star and Jamaican goalkeeper Shamera Sterling-Humphrey left the court, but the equally dynamic, if undersized, Wilson stepped up to the plate.

Wilson looked more than comfortable in the goalkeeper bib, as she racked up four deflections, two gains, one rebound, one pickup and 32 Nissan Net Points across her 13-minute stint in the position. 

Obst obviously would have preferred if Sterling-Humphrey did not have to leave the court, but she found a silver lining in Wilson’s move to the last line of defence. 

Tania Obst

“Goalkeeper isn’t unfamiliar for her [Wilson]; she has played there,” Obst said, referencing Wilson’s previous playing experience outside the SSN. 

“To be able to swing Latty [Wilson] back, gets Hannah (Petty) onto the court at wing defence and that allowed us to see some other things and get some more evidence around things we do really well with different combinations,” the coach added. 

Wilson has been nothing short of incredible this season.  

The 23-year-old sits second in the competition for intercepts on 38 and is in the top five for both deflections (65) and gains (65). 

Obst pointed out that Wilson’s hunger to grow has been the main catalyst behind her step up this season. 

Shamera Sterling-Humphrey left the court after getting knocked in the face.

“She is growing every time she hits the training track. She goes to training wanting to know what it is she’s working on and what does it (her role) look like for her this week. She just has an ability to be in the right position to be able to see where her player is as well as the ball,” Obst shared.

The Thunderbirds once again utilised their bench to its full capacity in the win over the Mavericks, something they have done weekly this season following their success with the same tactic last year. 

Obst believes this flexibility represents a major part of their push for back-to-back premierships. Another Jamaican, Romelda Aiken-George has been leading the Thunderbirds attacking line.

“We have players now who have been together for a while. They have done the hard yards, years of work, not just this year, and that is starting to play to our strengths,” Obst noted.

“To be able to roll people on and off the court in different positions and it is pretty seamless, and to be able to push on every quarter is going to be a real strength of ours moving forward,” she declared.

Jamaica’s Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson and Romelda Aiken-George continued winning ways with Adelaide Thunderbirds, as they produced a blistering second half display to secure a 67-41 win over Melbourne Mavericks at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on Saturday.

The 26-goal victory –Thunderbirds’ widest margin so far this season –propelled them into second position on 32 points, same as West Coast Fever, but with a better goal difference of 93 goals greater than their conceded total. Melbourne Vixens (36 points) remain in pole position.

Aiken-George again led Thunderbirds from the front with 39 goals from 43 attempts, supported by Lauren Frew, who scored 13 goals from 15 attempts. Lucy Austin had nine goals from 11 attempts, and Georgie Horjus ended with six from six.

Another Jamaican Shimona Jok led Mavericks’ efforts with 25 goals from 28 attempts, as Eleanor Cardwell (10 goals from 13 attempts) and Gabrielle Sinclair (four goals from seven attempts) offered support.

Horjus was on top of her game across all four quarters, finishing with 116 Nissan Net Points, while Sterling-Humphrey (106 NNP), who was briefly sidelined after taking a knock to the face, and Wilson (77.5 NNP) delivered standout individual performances.

Adelaide Thunderbirds celebrate their win.

The Mavericks were more spirited at the start, as Jok scored three unanswered goals, before Sterling-Humphrey raked in two gains, two intercepts and a deflection in the first term alone, to bring Thunderbirds back into the contest. Aiken-George was prolific on the scoreboard for the Thunderbirds in a tightly contested and physical quarter, which they won 15-14.

The Thunderbirds maintained the momentum in the second quarter, courtesy of brisk goals from Frew and Aiken-George inside the opening minutes.

An aerial duel between Jok and Sterling-Humphrey, forced to the latter to the bench with a suspected concussion from a hit behind the ball. She was replaced by Wilson, who also made her presence felt, as Mavericks’ penalties and turnovers proved their undoing in the quarter that ended 18-11 in favour of Thunderbirds, with the score at 33-25 at half-time.

Like the first two quarters, the Mavericks struggled to make the most of their possession in the attacking third, and that allowed Thunderbirds to maintain a stranglehold on the contest, which seemed headed for blowout. Despite a strong performance from Jok and a Super Shot from Sinclair, it wasn’t enough to claw back the Thunderbirds’ 15-goal advantage heading into the final break at 49-34. 

Still, the Mavericks fought on with four quick goals in the opening three minutes, before a deflection from Sterling-Humphrey and a couple of impressive long-range goals from Horjus widened Thunderbirds’ gap to 17 points.

And even switching Jok to goalkeeper to match Aiken-George's height, proved futile for the Mavericks, who were blew away 18-7 in the final quarter.

Sterling-Humphrey maintained her stellar performance and ended with a rebound, six intercepts, and five deflections, while Wilson was also on song with an impressive seven deflections and an intercept, as both thwarted the opponent’s attack.

Jamaica's Shanice Beckford of West Coast Fever is a picture of focus.

Meanwhile, Queensland Firebirds produced a massive upset, as they bettered West Coast Fever 78-70 in an evenly contested fixture at Nissan Arena. 

Donnell Wallam piloted the Firebirds with 66 goals from 67 attempts, with Tippah Dwan getting the other 12 goals from 17 attempts.

At the other end, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard scored 65 goals from 67 attempts for West Coast Fever, while Shanice Beckford had four goals from eight attempts, and Olivia Wilkinson, one goal from three attempts.

In a fiercely contested start, both teams showed early intensity, exchanging goals before the Fever gained an early edge, spurred on by robust defensive efforts from Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Sunday Aryang.

Fever seamlessly moved the ball to the circle edge before delivering it straight to Fowler-Nembhard under the post, as they surged into an eight-goal lead at one point. However, Wallam orchestrated a stunning comeback, sinking four two-point Super Shots during the Power Five period to level the scores at 20-20 at the first break.

It was more end-to-end action at the top of the second quarter, before Wallam, who was a powerhouse in the circle, fired on all cylinders to give her team control.

Despite the pressure, the Fever maintained their composure and executed their game plan with clinical precision, and at that point, it became evident that it would be a showdown of the shooters, as Wallam and Fowler-Nembhard took centre stage.

Jamaica's Kadie-Ann Dehaney (right) of West Coast Fever challenges for possession.

Fowler-Nembhard was outstanding for the Fever, racking up an impressive 45 Nissan Net Points for the quarter, just edging out Wallam who scored 43 in the second quarter. In fact, it took a thrilling buzzer-beating Super Shot from Wallam to put Firebirds ahead 41-39 at halftime.

After a couple wayward balls to start the third, the Firebirds had all the answers as the Fever struggled to keep pace. But the Dan Ryan-coached Fever was not to be outdone and battled bravely to ensure the contest remained close with just six goals between them at 57-51 heading into the final quarter.

The Fever fought back valiantly, as they intensified their defensive efforts and eventually found success on the scoreboard to move within two of the Firebirds score, but let the momentum slip close to the end.

In what was another clinical all-round display, Adelaide Thunderbirds registered their seventh win of the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League, as they bettered GIANTS Netball 57-42 in a lopsided contest at Ken Rosewall Arena, on Saturday.

Demonstrating their exceptional depth and quality across the court, Thunderbirds, the reigning champions, led from start to finish in a dominant win that propelled them to second on the ladder, and reaffirmed their status as a strong contender in the race to the finals. 

Jamaican Romelda Aiken-George scored 38 goals from 47 attempts for the Thunderbirds, with support from Lauren Frew (10 goals from 13 attempts), Georgie Horjus (five goals from seven attempts), and Lucy Austin (four goals from five attempts).

Sophie Dwyer (24 goals from 25 attempts), Jo Harten (14 goals from 16 attempts, and Matisse Letherbarrow (four goals from four attempts) led the efforts of the GIANTS team, which comprises Jamaican defender Jodi-Ann Ward.

Thunderbirds, on 28 points, are now eight points off leaders Melbourne Vixens (36 points), with West Coast Fever, who will be up against New South Wales (NSW) Swifts on Sunday, in third on 28 points.

After coming off an all-important win last week against the Queensland Firebirds, GIANTS were looking to secure a back-to-back victories and keep their hopes of breaking through to the top four alive.

Jamaican Latanya Wilson (left) of Adelaide Thunderbirds challenge for possession.

However, the relentless defensive pressure from the Thunderbirds, coupled with a high number of unforced turnovers, proved overwhelming for the GIANTS, who ended the game with their lowest score in Super Netball history, much to the dismay of the home crowd.

Both teams were composed in the early exchanges, as they traded goals in end-to-end action before things began to unravel for the hosts, and that allowed Thunderbirds to close the quarter 16-12 up.

Momentum gradually shifted in favour of the GIANTS, who went on a three-goal run early in the second quarter, with follow-up efforts by captain Harten later gifting them a lead. But, their lead was short-lived, as the Thunderbirds' intensified work rate across the court saw them regain the ascendancy in a 14-8 run for a 30-20 scoreline at the half-time interval.

Player of the match, Latanya Wilson was again a powerhouse for the Thunderbirds, as the Jamaican racked up three intercepts and five deflections in the first half alone.

For the GIANTS, it was Jodi-Ann Ward who willed her side along with her relentless efforts. Ward finished on the highest Nissan Net Points for the GIANTS, along with three intercepts and six deflections. 

Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst used the depth of her bench in the third quarter, bringing veteran Laura Scherian into the game at WA and moving Horjus into GA. The GIANTS were unable to quickly adapt to the positional changes, as the Thunderbirds scored three unanswered three-goal runs.

Try as they did, GIANTS failed to really respond and, as such, faced a 13-goal deficit at 43-30 heading into the final quarter.

Still, it was more of the same –one-way traffic –for the Thunderbirds, who accelerated and dominated across all areas of the court in the final quarter. The long reach of outstanding Jamaican goalkeeper Shamera Sterling-Humphrey took the wind out of the home side, and allowed the Thunderbirds to wrap up a comfortable win.

Despite the fact that West Coast Fever suffered a tough round nine loss to Adelaide Thunderbirds, Jamaica’s Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard remains atop the Nissan Net Points tally, with her compatriots Romelda Aiken-George, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson also in pole across other categories.

With 959.5 Net Points to her credit, Fowler-Nembhard is well over 100 points ahead of Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Liz Watson (809.5 points), with Sterling-Humphrey (780 points) in third.

Fowler-Nembhard also has a strangle hold on the goals and attempts leaderboards, with 494 goals and 514 attempts. She has Australian goal shooters Donnell Wallam (378 goals and 440 attempts), Sophie Garbin (363 goals and 413 attempts), and Cara Koenen (340 goals and 376 attempts) keeping close company. Aiken-George is fifth on both standings with 306 goals and 353 attempts.

However, Aiken-George continues to lead the offensive rebounds ladder with 43, ahead of Garbin (37), Koenen (33), Wallam (30), and Fowler-Nembhard (25).

A massive week from Wilson ensured the Sunshine Girl retains pole position on the intercepts ladder, as her tally of 33 now pushed her five ahead of teammate Sterling-Humphrey (28).

Still, Sterling-Humphrey has a firm grip on the deflections leaderboard (62) and defensive rebounds (22), both marginally ahead of Ash Ervin, who has 53 deflections and 18 defensive rebounds. Wilson (49) is third on the deflections ladder.

Meanwhile, despite another Swifts loss, Helen Housby’s willingness to shoot from range has not stopped. She is still leading the Suncorp Super Shots (53) and attempts (81) categories, while Liz Watson has continued her midcourt dominance, with 232 goal assists to her name to go with her 236 centre pass receives.

Adelaide Thunderbirds produced what was arguably their best performances of the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League season so far to turn the tables on leaders West Coast Fever, with an emphatic 68-50 victory at a sold-out Entertainment Centre, on Saturday.

Having lost the first meeting between the two by one goal in a nail-biting encounter, the Thunderbirds –comprising Jamaicans Romelda Aiken-George, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson –were out for revenge against their Jamaican counterparts Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Shanice Beckford and Kadie-Ann Dehaney, and they delivered it in a swift and vicious manner with the 18-goal romp that handed Fever their second loss of the season.

In fact, the win for the Thunderbirds also marked a rebound from last week’s shock defeat to Queensland Firebirds, as they capitalised on 19 gains against the uncharacteristically careless, out-of-sorts Fever.

Aiken-George, as always, led the Thunderbirds from the front with 50 goals from 60 attempts, backed by Lauren Frew, who had nine goals from 13 attempts, while Georgie Horjus had five goals from six attempts, and Lucy Austin scored four goals from five attempts.

Meanwhile, Fever’s attacking front saw Fowler-Nembhard tally 41 goals from 46 attempts, as Alice Teague-Neeld (four goals from five attempts), and Olivia Wilkinson (three goals from four attempts) offered some support. Beckford failed to score from her three attempts.

As expected, the encounter started at a decent tempo, as Fever accounted for the first two goals, before Thunderbirds responded, finding free targets and keeping pace in a goal-for-goal opening term.

Sterling-Humphrey made her presence felt early, when she got her hands on the ball within the first two minutes, though she couldn't quite secure it to make it count. Still, she went on to Sterling-Humphrey tally eight intercept possessions by halftime.

Jamaican Shamera Sterling-Humphrey of Adelaide Thunderbirds soars above her West Coast Fever opponent to win possession.

The Fever defenders focused on protecting the backspace with a split circle, aiming to stifle the tall timber, Aiken-George, but it was to no avail.

Latanya Wilson later pulled off a crucial intercept, which assisted Thunderbirds, the reigning champions, to a two-goal lead heading into the Power Five, where they added three more goals to open a five-goal lead a 20-15 at the end of the first quarter.

Tayla Williams also shone early for Thunderbirds, as she racked up 53.5 Nissan Net Points, with eight goal assists, 11 feeds, and a deflection in the first term alone.

Much like she ended the first, Wilson started the second quarter in a similar vein, as she soared for another intercept, and kept possession in play even as she flew out of bounds. That play extended the Thunderbirds' lead and they duly maintained the momentum from there to take the quarter 19-9 for a 39-24 lead at half-time.

The Fever stepped up their game in the third quarter and that resulted in a slight momentum shift.  For the first and only time in the contest, they outscored Thunderbirds 17-12 to cut the deficit to 10 goals at 51-41 heading into the final quarter.

Though Fever showcased moments of fluid play that signalled a notable shift in energy and momentum at the top of the final quarter, their hopes of a comeback victory dwindle, as Thunderbirds regained their rhythm just before the Power Five and accelerated to cap a tidy victory.

Adversity often serves as the catalyst for greatness, and Latanya Wilson’s path to being a formidable force for Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League franchise Adelaide Thunderbirds and, by extension, Jamaica, is a testament to that.

Wilson’s journey has been one of perseverance, talent, and an unyielding drive for success as being told she wasn’t good enough, coupled with tragic losses along the way, shaped her ascent in netball to the point where she is now a force to be reckoned with.

The rangy wing defence, who possesses the ability to both hunt and find the loose balls, recently celebrated her 50th game milestone in the SSN, and as she reflected on the path to achieving the feat, Wilson is even more determined to add another chapter to that legacy.

“Reaching 50 games in the SSN is truly surreal. It feels like a huge accomplishment, especially considering what the journey was like and the dedication and hard work it took to get here. To say it was rough would be an understatement, you know, the setbacks and obstacles that I faced along the way, but I was always focused on the bigger picture,” Wilson told SportsMax.TV from her base in Australia.

“I am grateful for everyone who supported me in overcoming those challenges to make it this far, and I'm excited to see what the future holds because I still have so much more to give, and so it is just about pushing even harder from here to accomplish even more,” she added.

Latanya Wilson produced a Player of the Match performance on her 50th outing.

Having worked her way through the ranks of Jamaica’s netball teams, Wilson’s career initially took flight when she was drafted by Cardiff Dragons in England’s Vitality Netball Superleague in 2020, which is where she first paraded her prowess to create turnover balls, as well as her impressive vision and take off speed.

However, it wasn’t until she arrived in Australia a year later that Wilson really honed her craft as a defensive powerhouse. The 23-year-old’s agility, keen sense of positioning, and ability to read the game have made her an indispensable asset to the Thunderbirds team.

“The growth has been immense because Australian netball is incredibly fast-paced and strategic. Moving here forced me to refine my skills, improve my decision-making under pressure, and develop a deeper understanding of the game.  The competition is fierce, and playing alongside and against some of the best players in the world has pushed me to become a more well-rounded and confident athlete,” Wilson shared.

Despite her consistency and resilience, the Mico University alumna attributed her success to the support of her coaches and teammates, her Sunshine Girls compatriots Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Romelda Aiken-George in particular.

Latanya Wilson (left) share a light moment with compatriot Shamera Sterling-Humphrey.

“My success is a combination of factors.  My unwavering passion for the sport keeps me motivated to train hard and push my limits, and that along with having dedicated coaches who believe in my potential and provide constant guidance has been instrumental. Additionally, the unwavering support system of family, friends, and teammates fuels my drive to succeed,” Wilson noted.

“Playing alongside Shamera and Romelda is truly an honour. They're not just exceptional players, but also big sisters to me who share their knowledge and experience. Also, having other familiar faces like Shanice [Beckford] and others in the league fosters a sense of camaraderie and competition,” she reasoned.

Besides her 50th game milestone, Wilson also boasts another significant achievement of assisting Thunderbirds to the title last year. But for every remarkable feat, the soft-spoken player pointed out that there were lessons that she had to learn.

“Winning the SSN championship with my team was a dream come true, and the feeling of celebrating with my teammates is unforgettable. There have also been personal achievements, like being named in the team of the year twice in a row, but there have been low moments as well. Being away from my loved ones and missing out on family celebrations are among them, but it taught me resilience and the importance of mental strength. Both the highs and lows have made me a stronger and more resilient player and so I relish each when they come,” Wilson revealed.

Wilson and her Adelaide Thunderbirds teammates.

Looking ahead, Wilson remains grounded and motivated by the support of her family, fans, and teammates. For her, the road ahead is filled with promise and challenges, but she is undeterred and is unflinching in her desire to help the Thunderbirds secure another SSN crown.

With seven games gone in the season so far, Thunderbirds sit third on five wins and two losses and Wilson is eyeing more improvements heading into round eight.

“There's always room for improvement, but overall, I'm happy with how the team is gelling. We're building momentum, learning from each game, and finding our rhythm.  It’s still early days, but every team is strong, and the competition is fierce. We are focusing on each game one at a time and hopefully that will land us in the finals,” the bubbly personality stated.

“Personally, my ultimate goal is to continue contributing to my team's success and also to maintain my high standard when I’m representing my country at the international level.  I'm constantly striving to improve my skills, develop new strategies, and become a beast on court, as I hope to inspire young athletes and show them that hard work and dedication can lead to achieving their dreams,” she ended.

Jamaican defender Latanya Wilson, produced a Player of the Match performance in her 50th national league game to assist Adelaide Thunderbirds to a comfortable 58-33 win over New South Wales Swifts in a lopsided affair at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday.

The contest, which was a repeat of last year’s grand final, was expected to be just a fierce, but Wilson and her Thunderbirds teammates were in a no-nonsense mood, as they won all but one quarter of the encounter to bounce back from last week's nail-biting one-goal loss to West Coast Fever.

Wilson, 23, notched up 118.5 Nissan Net Points thanks to four intercepts, seven deflections and nine pick-ups in a performance that matches her milestone.

“It feels so amazing. What a milestone. It is such a great feeling and I am so happy we got the win. We are evolving and we are hunting something new, whatever that looks like, I am so happy that I am a part of this great team,” a beaming Wilson said in a post-game interview.

While the wing defence did her part along with compatriot and goalkeeper Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, who had five deflections and three intercepts, another Jamaican Romelda Aiken-George led the Thunderbirds attack with 30 goals from 32 attempts.

Lucy Austin (12 goals from 12 attempts), Georgie Horjus (nine goals from 10 attempts), and Lauren Frew (seven goals from nine attempts), contributed the others.

Wilson was on song in the Thunderbirds defence.

Meanwhile, the Swifts, who were off beat all-around, got most goals from Sophie Fawns (16 goals from 19 attempts). Helen Housby (10 goals from 14 attempts), Trinidad and Tobago’s Samantha Wallace-Joseph (five goals from seven attempts) and Grace Whyte (two goals from four attempts), got the others.

Aside from the opening quarter in which they came out strong and secured a 13-12 lead over the Thunderbirds, the Swifts struggled to maintain momentum throughout.

In fact, they made a number of errors in the second quarter that shifted things in favour of the Thunderbirds, who capitalised and won the quarter 11-7 to overtake the lead at 23-20 at the half-time interval.

Wallace-Joseph finally entered the court for the Swifts to start the third quarter which meant Housby moved back into her preferred position of goal attack, but the move proved futile.

While both teams made some uncharacteristic errors, the Thunderbirds recovered best and later asserted their authority on the contest in what turned out to be a match-winning third quarter.

Sterling-Humphrey made her presence felt and picked up a flying intercept, after which, Wilson took the mantle to shut out the Swifts, as they ended the quarter 13 goals up at 41-28.

Faced with the huge deficit, it was crucial for the Swifts to come out firing in the fourth quarter - and they did for the most part, but another intercept from Sterling-Humphrey prevented them from scoring.

From there, the Swifts racked up penalties and turnovers, while missing six of their 11 attempts, as Thunderbirds effortlessly took the quarter 17-5 to complete the 25-goal rout.

In a mouthwatering clash where speed, flair, defensive and shooting abilities were put to the test, Jamaica’s Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Shanice Beckford, and Kadie-Ann Dehaney toppled compatriots Romelda-Aiken-George, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, and Latanya Wilson as West Coast Fever extended their unbeaten run with an epic 57-56 win over Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Saturday’s clash at the RAC Arena, was always expected to be a spicy affair, and it didn’t disappoint as the mettle of West Coast Fever was tested against their Adelaide Thunderbirds counterparts, in what was their most formidable challenge this season.

The Fever overcame a sluggish start, as their tenacious defensive pressure and remarkable athleticism ensured they stayed in the game, and they maintained composure when it mattered most to make it six from six at the top of the table.

Dehaney delivered a standout performance for the Fever, as she amassed an impressive total of 68.5 Nissan Net Points. Her dominance was particularly evident in the first and third quarters, where she showcased exceptional skill and contributed significantly with 10 deflections and two crucial intercepts.

“We were below standard, especially at the start with our work-rate. We decided at half time that this is the line; when we get back out there, we need to apply the pressure and lift the standard of work-rate,” Dehaney said in a post-match interview, after she shared a dance with her compatriots.

At the other end of the court, Fever’s ace shooter Fowler-Nembhard stood tall with 51 goals from 51 attempts, including an uncharacteristic two-point Super Shot effort. Beckford got the other six goals from 10 attempts, as she was charged with tackling the Super Shot line, but never really found rhythm

A focused Jhaniel Fowler-Nembhard.

The Thunderbirds were again led by Aiken-George, who scored 34 goals from 40 attempts, while Lauren Frew had 11 goals from 12 attempts. Lucy Austin briefly found range from the Super Shot line and ended with eight goals from six attempts, with Georgie Horjus getting the team’s other three goals from four attempts.

Thunderbirds brought the pressure, as they burst out of the gates and dominated the court and the scoreboard early. Sterling-Humphrey and Matilda Garrett showcased incredible athleticism in defence, their aerial skills on full display, while Wilson proved vital in intercepting when Fever were in transition. 

Horjus was also lively early on, as she racked up 20 Nissan Net Points, five goal assists, eight center pass receives, and seven feeds, consistently taking on Sunday Aryang, and also provided a reliable option through the middle.

Meanwhile, for the Fever, Dehaney racked up impressive stats early against Aiken-George, with her five deflections and two intercepts.

The Thunderbirds relentless effort, limited Fever’s attacking options, but the momentum gradually shifted when Beckford dropped the league leader’s first Super Shot. Fowler-Nembhard later secured a penalty goal right on the buzzer, to put Fever up 14-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Fever maintained the ascendancy in the second quarter, as they capitalised on their opportunities in front of goal and asserted their authority over the Thunderbirds, who struggled to maintain possession.

However, after a series of positional changes, the momentum again shifted back to the Thunderbirds, as Wilson tallied three deflections and an intercept as the ball swiftly moved from end to end. From there, Thunderbirds eked out a slim two-point lead at 28-26 at the half-time interval.

Shamera Sterling-Humphrey was again prominent for the Thunderbirds.

As the Thunderbirds pressed on in the third quarter, Fever found themselves in uncharted territory, with the unfamiliar feeling of being in a losing position for the first time this season.

Wilson's physicality on the ball proved pivotal for the Thunderbirds, as they chipped away and ramped up their defensive pressure. But in a pivotal moment for the Fever, Jordan Cransberg’s intercept at the centre pass, swiftly led to a conversion by Fowler-Nembhard, followed by a Fever centre pass.

Aiken-George then squandered a straightforward opportunity right under the post, which gifted possession to the Fever.

Fever pressed on from there, and Beckford landed her second Super Shot out of six attempts, bringing the team within two points, before Fowler-Nembhard scored consecutive efforts, the second of which was on the buzzer. Though Fever won the quarter 16-14, the teams entered the final quarter locked at 42 goals apiece.

Sensing danger, Fever, through an outstanding performance from Fowler-Nembhard quickly extended their lead to five within the opening five minutes of the decisive quarter, and though Thunderbirds battled tooth and nail to get back into it, the reigning champions came up just short at the end. 

Jamaica’s Romelda Aiken-George, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson continued winning ways in the Suncorp Super Netball League, as their Adelaide Thunderbirds team downed Melbourne Mavericks 59-37 in a lopsided affair at the John Cain Arena, on Saturday.

Aiken-George again led the way with 32 goals from 34 attempts, with support from Lucy Austin, who had 14 goals from 16 attempts, and Lauren Frew (nine goals from 13 attempts), while Georgie Horjus scored the other four goals from six attempts.

Another Jamaican Shimona Jok topscored for the Mavericks with 16 goals from 19 attempts, while Gabrielle Sinclair had 16 goals from 14 attempts, including five two-point Super shots, and Natalie Butler had five goals from seven attempts.

It was another clinical performance by the Thunderbirds, who produced four strong quarters to bring the Mavericks down to earth from the high of their historic win last week. Both teams were shaky at the start, before the Thunderbirds settled with three goals in a row.

From there, it was end-to-end action until the Thunderbirds regained the ascendancy thanks to crucial intercepts by Wilson on the Mavericks centre pass, which allowed her team to open a five-goal lead at 16-11 to end the first quarter.

The back-and-forth of possession between the two teams continued in the second quarter, but the Thunderbirds remained in control and opened a 10-goal lead at one point, which forced the Mavericks to go for the two-point Super shots. However, stellar defending from Sterling-Humphrey and company ensured the Thunderbirds maintained control at 32-18 at the half-time break.

Jamaica's Latanya Wilson of Adelaide Thunderbirds rise highest to win possession.

The one-way traffic continued in favour of the Thunderbirds on the resumption, as Mavericks struggled to penetrate their shooting circle, while the speed and connection between Laura Scherian and Aiken-George made life difficult for the opponents defence.

At the end of it all, the Thunderbirds increased their advantage to 20-goals, as they wrapped up the third quarter at 47-27.

The Mavericks produced their strongest showing of the game in the final quarter, as they looked stronger and more connected, but it was a case of too little too late just too late for Jok and company, who succumbed to a 22-goal defeat.

Meanwhile, another Jamaican Jodi-Ann Ward and her GIANTS team got their first points of the campaign on the board following a nail-biting 86-80 extra-time win over Sunshine Coast Lightning, at the Ken Rosewall Arena.

Sophie Dwyer (39 goals from 38 attempts) and Jo Harten (35 goals from 35 attempts) were in good knick on the day for GIANTS, who had their other goals from Matisse Letherbarrow (12 goals from 12 attempts), the game-changer during extra-time.

Cara Koenen led the Lightning with 45 goals from 47 attempts, with support from Reilley Batcheldor (17 goals from 20 attempts) and Steph Fretwell (18 goals from 23 attempts).

It was a contest filled with twists and turns as both sides traded blows in the opening minutes. Yet, amidst the tit-for-tat scoring, it was the GIANTS that exuded confidence, demonstrating rapid ball movement and unyielding defensive intensity courtesy of Chelsea Pitman and Ward, who disrupted Lightning’s play from their centre pass.

Jamaican Jodi-Ann Ward embraces a GIANTS teammate after their first win of the season.

Ward was a bundle of energy for the GIANTS, working overtime in defence to support the team on both sides of the ball, but the teams ended the first quarter locked at 17-17.

Jo Harten and Sophie Dwyer turned it on in the Power Five time, executing an important Super Shot each. Yet, it was Steph Fretwell's clutch conversion that leveled the scores as the teams approached the first change.

The second quarter intensified in physicality as the Lightning aimed to maintain their momentum from the opening quarter. However, a pivotal turnover by Pitman allowed GIANTS to surge ahead to a five-goal lead before the onset of the Power Five period.

But the Lightning’s superb center pass conversion rate and execution in the circle led by Koenen saw them rally, but the GIANTS held a one-goal lead 37-36 at half-time.

The GIANTS kicked off the third quarter with gusto, extending their lead by four goals within the opening minutes. Harten asserted her dominance on the game, dazzling with a series of spectacular goals to ignite the GIANTS' momentum.

Still the Lightning were resolute and kept pace with their rivals to remain one goal behind at 55-54 and set up a stirring final quarter battle which eventually ended at 71-71 to send the game into extra-time.

Letherbarrow was summoned from the bench, and she delivered a relentless barrage of Super Shots, ultimately spearheading the GIANTS' comeback victory over the Lightning, who lacked composure in the latter stages of the game.