The GIANTS head into round five looking to challenge the competition's most in-form side.
When and Where: Saturday, April 11 at 7pm AEST / 6:30pm at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Where to Watch: For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Saturday’s game via Foxtel, Kayo Freebies or Binge. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the game via Netball pass. For more information click here.
Last Time They Met: The two sides last met in round nine last season, as the GIANTS went on to secure their second victory of the season over the ‘Pink Team’. The Thunderbirds started strongly at home before the GIANTS fought back during the Power Five to level the scores at quarter time, with Sophie Dwyer influential in attack. Jamie-Lee Price led the charge in the engine room, while Jo Harten was flawless, shooting at 100%. Casey Kopua and Erin O’Brien combined in defence to produce 11 gains and 14 deflections. The GIANTS then took control in the second term, capitalising on the Thunderbirds’ Super Shot struggles to take a four-goal lead into halftime. The Thunderbirds lifted defensively in the third quarter to edge ahead by three but continued shooting issues and a late turnover allowed the GIANTS to close out a three-goal win.
What it Means for the GIANTS: The GIANTS head to Adelaide with a huge task in hand. Winless so far this season, they’ll be looking to break the streak and prove they can compete with one of the competition’s form sides. The GIANTS have shown in patches that at their best, they can deliver a dominant and damaging brand of netball – the challenge is doing so consistently.
What it Means for the Opposition: The Thunderbirds enter this match unbeaten and will be eager to maintain their perfect start to the season. A win would reinforce their position at the top of the ladder and continue building momentum heading into the mid-season stretch. While they’ll be favourites on paper, Adelaide will be focused on executing their structures, staying sharp in attack, and avoiding complacency against a GIANTS team capable of causing upsets when firing.
The Name: Elmere van der Berg - Thunderbirds’ new recruit Elmere van der Berg has taken the league by storm in her first season in Australia. The South African shooter currently leads the competition in goals scored and sits second for Nissan Net Points, showcasing her consistency and scoring prowess. Her ability to find space, convert under pressure, and capitalise on fast ball movement makes her a major threat for opposition defenders.
The Narrative: South Australian shooter Lucy Austin faces off against her former side for the first time since making the move to Sydney in the off-season. The two-time premiership player will be well known to the Thunderbirds’ defenders, who understand her strengths and tendencies, making it a fascinating battle in the shooting circle. Austin’s familiarity with her former teammates adds an extra layer of intrigue as the GIANTS look to take the win as underdogs.
The Notes: “We know Adelaide is a top side and their shooters, especially Elmere van der Berg, are a real threat. Our focus is on executing our game plan, staying patient through the midcourt battles, and challenging every possession. It’s going to be a tough test, but we’re ready for the challenge and excited to see how our players rise to it.”
