Wilson wows as Thunderbirds set up finals showdown
Steve Barrett |
The Adelaide Thunderbirds’ bid for a Super Netball three-peat is right on track after a Latanya Wilson defensive masterclass catapulted them to a 60-49 win over the Melbourne Mavericks.
The two-time reigning champions climbed into third place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, their finals fate firmly in their own hands with one round to play.
The result sets up a potential do-or-die clash next Saturday in Adelaide, with the Thunderbirds (7-6) and Sunshine Coast Lightning (7-6) set to square off in what looms as a mini-elimination final.
Meanwhile, the fifth-placed Melbourne Vixens (7-5) can book their place in the top four by beating either the last-placed Queensland Firebirds on Sunday or ladder leaders West Coast Fever next week in Perth.
If the Vixens lose both games, Adelaide’s clash with the Lightning will become a battle for finals seeding.
Wilson was immense on Saturday, equalling the league record for intercepts in a game with nine – matching the mark set by Vixens defender Emily Mannix in 2019.
She racked up 12 gains and nine deflections in a brilliant individual display, lowering the colours of fellow Jamaican and Mavericks spearhead Shimona Jok.
“I can’t take all the credit myself,” Wilson said.
“My team did the work in front of me, which allowed me to fly.
“I feel like when I get one (intercept) I’m on the go and feel active to get more and more.”
Melbourne made a promising enough start, leading 10-8 early, before being snowed under by a Wilson-led Adelaide avalanche.
The T’birds finished the opening term on a 9-2 burst before mauling the Mavs 16-7 in the second.
Wilson repeatedly beat Jok in the air, while wreaking havoc with her fast hands, racking up four intercepts for the quarter and six for the half to steer the Thunderbirds to a commanding 33-19 lead.
The visitors disintegrated in the second stanza, going 6-of-10 at goals, while conceding nine turnovers and 15 penalties.
“They (players) look fearful when they get the ball,” Mavericks coach Tracey Neville told Fox Sports in the third quarter.
“At the end of the day that’s not what we’re about.”
Her charges lifted admirably, with Tayla Fraser rejuvenated at wing attack and Jok burying 15 goals without a miss as Melbourne won the third term 17-14, frustrating Adelaide into cough-ups as Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst angrily hurled her notepad to the floor.
Uneeq Palavi subbed on in the fourth and buried three straight super shots to trim the margin to single digits, before her next attempt was athletically rejected by the rampant Wilson.
AAP
