IT was a battle of defence between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Collingwood Magpies on Sunday afternoon, unable to be split with the match finishing in yet another draw showcasing the closeness of the 2019 season. This marked the sixth draw this season with both the Pies and Thunderbirds finishing a second respective match with no winning result. Last time these two sides met the Magpies came away with an impressive 18-goal win, but the Thunderbirds came back with a vengeance coming to play early in the match.

Both sides had myriad opportunities to capitalise throughout the match, with the defensive efforts across the board denying goals but turnovers aplenty running the ball back and forth. Neither side was really able to capitalise on their defensive pressure, unable to consolidate a win or pull back the margin. It was a relatively low-scoring game, with both teams unable to crack past 15 goals in a term credit to the constant hands-over pressure of both defensive units.

Jamaican high-flyer Shamera Sterling was in her element from the get-go, with the Magpies supplying plenty of high ball into the goal circle in an attempt to feed fellow Jamaican Shimona Nelson up against her old side for only the second time, this time at Adelaide’s home court. But while Nelson got hands to her fair share of ball, Sterling’s Thunderbirds were well and truly in control early, finding good space in the circle and using their strong defensive pressure to cause issues for the Pies all over the court. Young guns Matilda Garrett and Gabi Sinclair were given the start for the Pies in an attempt to find some form before the regular names in Nat Medhurst and April Brandley took the court, but it was to no avail as the Thunderbirds well and truly took control to lead by four goals at the end of the first.

The second and third quarters were relatively even, with the Magpies chasing down the Thunderbirds’ early lead but unable to take control of the match. The Magpies had difficulty moving through attack, with crowding a big issue forward and their connections not paying off. There were changes aplenty through the middle two quarters as both teams sought to take control and find their form. Emma Ryde took the court in goal shooter towards the end of the second for only her second match in 2019, replacing Sasha Glasgow who was struggling to make an impact against the strength and experience of Geva Mentor. With Sterling putting on a show in goal keeper it was a case of ‘anything you can do I can do better’ as Mentor all but matched Sterling’s defensive effort to create plenty of opportunity for the Magpies to move down court. Meanwhile, Medhurst and Brandley took the court to add some much-needed bulk and experience to the Pies’ lineup, but despite winning the quarter by a goal it had little effect. With both sides struggling to take control, further changes were made after half time with Ash Brazill coming into centre midway through the third. While Brazill’s defensive pressure further up the court certainly came in handy for the Magpies, the side still trailed by two at the final change with Kelsey Browne having a hard time finding circle edge thanks to the intensity and pressure of Shadine Van Der Merwe.

It was a mostly even final quarter, with both sides going goal for goal for majority of the term. Despite some excitement-generating moments from both sides and a smattering of further positional changes, the match went down to the wire with neither side able to fully capitalise on their possession. The Magpies finished strong to take home a third bonus point but were ultimately unable to snatch a win in the dying moments after a frustrating missed attempt from Nelson in prime position under the post with less than 10 seconds left on the clock. Though the Thunderbirds fought to get the ball downcourt, it was to no avail with Ryde missing a high flying ball from Chelsea Pitman to be beaten by the buzzer.

For the Magpies, Nelson shot only 28 goals from 38 attempts at 74 per cent, well and truly leading the shooting stats but off from her regular form, aided by Medhurst with 13 from 16 – but seven from seven in the final term, and Sinclair with five goals from six attempts. Browne played her role well with 14 goal assists from 27 feeds, while Brazill impressed out of her regular position with five goal assists and three intercepts. Defensively, Mentor put on one of her best performances all year collecting 12 gains – six intercepts, five rebounds and one deflection, while Brandley finished with three gains and nine deflections (one to advantage).

On the Thunderbirds’ side, Sterling was impressive as ever with 11 gains – five intercepts, five rebounds and 15 deflections (one to advantage), while Kate Shimmin, Van Der Merwe and Chelsea Blackman all took their turn in goal defence, applying plenty of hands-over pressure. In attack, Ryde top-scored for the T’Birds with 20 goals from 22 attempts, while Maria Folau shot 15 from 19 as well as racking up 16 goal assists and three pickups. Glasgow shot a further 11 goals at 73 per cent, while Pitman was pivotal leading in attack with 16 goal assists from 37 feeds, also managing 134 centre pass receives and two gains.

Both sides travel to face fellow bottom four sides next round, with the Thunderbirds off to Queensland to face the Firebirds while the Magpies go to Perth to take on the Fever.

STARTING LINE-UPS:

ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS:

GS | Maria Folau
GA | Sasha Glasgow
WA | Chelsea Pitman
C | Hannah Petty
WD | Shadine Van De Merwe
GD | Kate Shimmin
GK | Shamera Sterling

COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES:

GS | Shimona Nelson
GA | Gabby Sinclair
WA | Kelsey Browne
C | Kim Ravaillion
WD | Ash Brazill
GD | Matilda Garrett
GK | Geva Mentor