A TERRIFIC performance from the versatile Georgie Horjus has enabled Adelaide Thunderbirds to claim an opening round Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) win over Collingwood Magpies. The Magpies were missing cross-coder Ash Brazill from that defensive midcourt role, and it showed, with Horjus able to impact both through goal attack and wing attack to help the Thunderbirds over the line in a four-goal victory, 54-50.

Both sides had new recruits coming in at goal attack, with the home side bringing ex-Firebird Tippah Dwan into goal attack, between Horjus (wing attack) and reliable post shooter Lenize Potgieter (goal shooter), whilst the Magpies had ex-Swift Sophie Garbin playing her first official game in the black and white. The loss of Brazill was clear from early on, with Molly Jovic forced back to wing defence, Kelsey Browne in centre, and Maggie Lind in wing attack.

The Thunderbirds started strongly after an initial miss from Potgieter to go an early 4-2 up, before Gabin scored her first goal in her new colours four minutes into the term. That sparked a run of three consecutive goals for the Magpies, and they regained the lead, and even at one stage went out to an 12-9 advantage. When the Super Shot came in though, Dwan was quick to chew that lead back with consecutive goals as part of seven goals added to the total and the home team raced out to a 16-12 lead. Whilst Nelson scored one before the whistle, the Magpies still trailed by three at the first break.

The change of Matilda Garrett to Latanya Wilson mixed up the defensive end for the Thunderbirds, with Shamera Sterling picking up two first quarter intercepts. Both Dwan (five goals at 100 per cent accuracy, and five goal assists) and Horjus (seven goal assists) were working well feeding it into Potgieter (nine from 10). Nelson held up the Magpies score, with Garbin slow to start with just the one goal, but five goal assists.

The Magpies opted to switch Garbin with Gabrielle Sinclair, and Jodi-Ann Ward came off for Jacqueline Newton in goal defence midway through the second term. The Magpies had clawed their way back into the game, but just as the final five minutes came around, the Thunderbirds picked up again. Despite a couple of Super Shot misses, the Thunderbirds managed to pick up some late goals and ended up one goal in front, 28-27.

Nelson had poured on 13 from 14 in that term, with Jovic working hard in wing defence, and Geva Mentor getting on top of Potgieter (seven of 10) in the term. The Thunderbirds shot at 64.7 per cent – mainly due to Super Shot misses – for the quarter after only missing one from 15 attempts in the first term. Entering the second half, Horjus switched into goal attack, with Elle McDonald coming on in wing attack.

The Thunderbirds extended the lead back out to three by the final break, as Horjus (six goals) and Potgieter (five) both scored at 100 per cent again, whilst Nelson (10 goals) also did not miss. Late in the quarter, Potgieter was replaced by Dwan to test out that combination, with Tayla Williams also getting a crack in centre replacing Maisie Nankivell. With six deflections and an intercept to two and zero respectively, the Thunderbirds were on top of the Magpies.

The visitors were desperate to try and get back on top, with Nelson subbed off for Garbin four minutes into the last term, whilst the Thunderbirds made use of their rotations once again, particularly through the respective circles. At one stage the Thunderbirds lead 54-46 heading into the final few moments. Despite Sinclair scoring a couple of late Super Shots, it would not be enough, as the Magpies went down by four goals, 50-54.

Horjus won Player of the Match for her match-high 16 goal assists, but also putting up 10 goals from 11 attempts, and an assist. Potgieter (29 from 34) and Dwan (10 from 13, and seven goal assists) showed the shooting trio could work effectively together. Nankivell picked up 11 goal assists in centre, whilst Sterling (three intercepts, two deflections and two rebounds) were paired with her typical 11 penalties as she looked to frustrate the opposition. At the end of the day, the Thunderbirds managed to hit the shots when they counted, and it helped in the win.

For the Magpies, Nelson scored 38 goals from 42 attempts, whilst Jovic (five goals assists, two intercepts and a deflection), and Newton (three intercepts and a deflection) tried their hearts out. Garbin scored five goals from eight attempts and had nine goal assists in her Magpies debut, whilst the black and whites will be keen to welcome back Brazill, who was sorely missed.

ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS 16 | 12 | 13 | 13 (54)
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 (50)

Player of the Match: Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds)