AFTER a disappointing loss last round against the previously winless GIANTS Netball, Collingwood Magpies have made an ominous statement to the rest of the competition in a huge 18-goal win over Adelaide Thunderbirds. The Magpies looked in control for almost the full hour on Friday night as they worked hard across the court, winning crucial one-on-ones, particularly with their famed midcourt during the 65-47 victory. Despite the heavy loss, Thunderbirds’ goalkeeper Shamera Sterling was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) on the night, with Sterling and Layla Guscoth making a number of crucial interceptions at times which without, could have led to the margin being even greater. Her direct opponent, Shimona Nelson was unlucky not to be awarded MVP however, playing her best game of the season against her former side. Up the other end of the court it was no surprise to see Ash Brazill also among the best, while Maria Folau had a terrific duel with April Brandley and then Geva Mentor.

Collingwood got off to a strong start to lead 5-2 in the opening stages of the game, but the Thunderbirds won a crucial intercept and scored the next two, before the Magpies again raced out to a four-goal lead which at that stage had seen Nelson be a dominant force in the circle. Up the other end, Folau was taking control of the game with some nice long bombs and keeping her side in it, but the Thunderbirds as a whole kept being called for held ball with their indecision proving costly, and the Magpies heading into the quarter time break with a six-goal lead, 17-11. Nelson was on fire, sinking 11 of her 12 attempts, while Nat Medhurst scored all six of her attempts.

In the second term, the Thunderbirds threw a surprise spanner in the works, sending Kate Shimmin to the bench – where she would remain for the rest of the game, replacing her with Maisie Nankivell at wing defence, the training partner who came in as a temporary replacement for the injured Beth Cobden. More of a fighter like her opponent, Kelsey Browne, Nankivell gained plenty of experience over the next 45 minutes, but it would mean little for stopping the raging Magpies. Sterling had three intercepts, while Mentor had two of her own up the other end in the quarter, as the goalkeepers were holding firm at both ends with loose passes costing sides. At 21-16 down, the Thunderbirds called a time out to switch Folau to goal shooter and bring on former Pie, Cody Lange to goal attack, sending Sasha Glasgow to the bench. There were also some nervous moments for the Thunderbirds as Sterling had her wrist strapped at the break after a fall, while Hannah Petty came off with Kelly Altmann coming in at centre. Sterling’s taping did not last long, eventually getting thrown off by the goalkeeper, while the Magpies maintained the rage to lead 32-23 at the main break.

The third quarter was certainly a term of two halves as the Magpies raced away to lead by as much as 18 goals at one stage midway through the term, scoring 14-5 to start the quarter, and some were starting to look up record winning margins. Nelson was phenomenal in the air, continuing her dominance in the game, using body position and clean hands to take control, shooting 13 of 15 attempts in the quarter, while Brandley and Mentor combined for three intercepts. Just as it looked like the Magpies might race away to the biggest win in some time, the Thunderbirds clicked for an electric five-minute passage of play, shooting five consecutive goals, which became 12 of the next 13 goals since that 18-goal advantage. A 46-28 lead to the Magpies had cut down to 47-35 by the final change and while they had collected the bonus point in the term, the Magpies looked like they had just got it done with a 15-12 third term. Glasgow had returned to replace Lange in the quarter after Lange shot 0/3, and Glasgow made it count with all her four attempts going in. Collingwood eventually got back to the 18-goal margin, running away with it in the end as Medhurst scored the final goal of the match to signal a 65-47 victory in front of a passionate Magpies fanbase at Melbourne Arena.

Nelson was dominant in the goal circle for the match, shooting 52 of a possible 57 attempts, while Medhurst scored 13 of 14. Up the other end, Folau managed 30 of 39, often from long range and under serious duress, while Glasgow and Lange both struggled with accuracy, shooting 17 of 25 between them. Despite the high scoring of Nelson, Sterling was named MVP for her eight intercepts and 10 gains, while Mentor was also terrific up the other end with five intercepts and eight gains – giving us a taste of World Cup fever for when England takes on Jamaica. Brazill kept buzzing around the court and was ever-present in the action, while Brandley stood tall in the goal circle nullifying her direct opponent. Guscoth had the three intercepts and five gains herself to assist Sterling in stopping the margin being even greater, while Nankivell could hold her head high on debut fighting hard against Browne. The Magpies now set their sights on the bottom-of-the-table West Coast Fever, while the Thunderbirds head home to host Queensland Firebirds next week.

STARTING LINE-UPS:

MAGPIES NETBALL

GS | Shimona Nelson
GA | Nat Medhurst
WA | Kelsey Browne
C | Kim Ravaillion
WD | Ash Brazill
GD | April Brandley
GK| Geva Mentor

ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS

GS | Sasha Glasgow
GA | Maria Folau
WA | Chelsea Pitman
C | Hannah Petty
WD  | Kate Shimmin
GD | Layla Guscoth
GK | Shamera Sterling