THE 2021 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season has come to a close with the focus now on the off-season and next year. Draft Central takes a look at each teams respective season with the next team under the microscope the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Ladder: 7th
Win-loss: 5-9
Percentage: 91.5%

What could have been a trying year for the Thunderbirds turned into a rebuild of sorts for the Adelaide-based club, which lost the valuable experience of Chelsea Pitman over the off-season but worked hard on connections up and down the court to ensure they really challenged opposition teams. That being said, the Thunderbirds only got the five wins on the board to equal their 2020 effort, and did not quite showcase their full capacity throughout the season with a couple of results won and done before half time. Being a “spoil the party” kind of team seemed to work for the T’Birds this season, but there is no doubt something will need to change for season 2022. Realistically, the Thunderbirds just lacked that player who would stand up and lead the side, with a lot of rotation for not a heap of reward proving to be their downfall.

What worked well?

When it comes to the Thunderbirds’ strengths in 2021 there is no doubt the backline built around the strengths of Shamera Sterling was their forte, with new accompaniments in Tilly Garrett and Latanya Wilson well and truly bolstering and elevating the Thunderbirds defensive unit this season. Garrett started out with a bang and while her dominance did not quite last the full season, there was no doubt she was a handy addition to the side and added some real explosiveness both inside and outside the circle to aid Sterling. It was the opposite for newcomer Wilson, who warmed the bench early on before earning valuable game time towards the and of the season, showcasing her versatility rotating through goal defence and wing defence with Shadine van der Merwe.

What went wrong?

While the Thunderbirds found some devastating connections further up the court, the scoring ability of the side was sorely let down by the lack of a consistent wing attack. While Maisie Nankivell is capable of pulling on any of the three midcourt bibs, the traditional defender lacked a bit of oomph playing out majority of the season in wing attack and the side really lacked the flow, leadership and dynamic movement Pitman added to the position. While Elle McDonald was a suitable option at times she did not get the court time she required to have a real impact, seeing Georgie Horjus occasionally pulled out of her preferred goaling position to fill that gap and proving that a won and done wing attack should be on the calling cards this trade period.

Most valuable player?

Despite not having the greatest of seasons, Sterling still led all comers across the board this season with her speed, tenacity and ability to interrupt opposition flow. Her explosiveness was undeniable as she wreaked havoc in the goal circle, using her long arms to consistently pluck the ball out of midair and deny almost certain goals. While it was not the most exciting season from Sterling, she really worked on her consistency over the off-season and was rarely beaten, often bring her fellow defenders into the game with her smooth movement and ominous read of the play. Not the loudest defender on court, Sterling was at times the silent assassin, daring opposition to try and feed around her and was relentless in her hunt for the loose ball.

Most improved player? 

With any number of players viable for this area, it was really Wilson who provided a bit of excitement, developing her craft well as the season went on and piling on the pressure. Whilst somewhat known for her physicality prior to joining the SSN, Wilson worked hard to adjust her game style and craft to be a more evasive defender and force errors with her great hunt and three-foot marking. Her speed off the mark was impressive, as was her ability to roll between wing and goal defence as the season went on. With plenty of years and development left in her, it is only a matter of time before Wilson is as much a household name as her other Jamaican compatriots, and can consistently wreak havoc.

Photo credit: Suncorp Super Netball