Thursday, February 25, 2010
THUNDERBIRDS AIM TO TAKE ONE MORE STEP
This week in the ‘Season that was’ we take a look at the 2009 ANZ Championship Runners-up, the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Always well drilled and thoroughly prepared, 2010 will be a year of redemption for the Thunderbirds as they strive to go one step further to the win the 2010 title.
Adelaide Thunderbirds - 2009 Season Review
Place- 2nd, Won 10, Lost 3
After finishing in the third place after the rounds, the Thunderbirds advanced to the Grand Final by defeating the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in the minor semi final and then knocking off the Waikato / Bay of Plenty Magic on their home soil in the Preliminary Final. Although they fell at the final hurdle to the Melbourne Vixens, as they did twice in the home and away season, they produced some amazing netball during the 2009 season. Their 17 goal thrashing to the Magic in Round 14 was one of the most impressive performances by any team in the competition in 2009 ANZ Championship season.
The 2010 team is shaping up nicely but the off-season was definitely a testing time for the Thunderbirds coaching staff. The controversial and shock defection of Diamonds goal attack Natalie Medhurst to the Queensland Firebirds sent shockwaves through the competition. It became the biggest off-season player movement. But Coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson has answered the challenge and picked up four new recruits including former Jamaican shooting prodigy, Carla Borrego. It may be a slightly different looking line-up this year, but rest assured the hunger, aggression and level of performance will be exactly what we have come to expect from South Australia’s best.
Season Prospects
The Adelaide Thunderbirds will have the confidence that they have the personnel and talent to go all the way this year. Expect their line-up to have a real international flavor, with Carla Borrego, the Jamaican shooting machine and Geva Mentor, the English International as the side’s respective bookends.
The performance of the Thunderbirds forward line is going to paramount to their title chances. The goal circle of Borrego, 193cm, and Kate Beveridge, 192cm, stands as the tallest shooting combination in the league, but operating a goal circle with two ‘talls’ is more difficult than it seems. For Beveridge, who will be the first choice goal attack; will be responsible for keeping the circle moving in the absence of Medhurst. They will certainly be a handful for opposition defenders based purely on height on scoring power but they will need to be mindful to avoid a dangerously stationary circle.
Emily Beaton and skipper Natalie von Bertouch will play crucial roles out the front as they will be required to run the ball at speed, playing sharp, acute angles around the circle edge to find the best openings to their shooters. If the Borrego/ Beveridge combination works, it will be extremely tough to counteract, but they also boast the speed and agility option through former NSW Swift shooter, Erin Bell.
The backline again has multiple options with Jo Sutton, Georgia Beaton, Mo’onia Gerrard, Geva Mentor and new inclusion Sharni Layton all fighting for a starting position. A big season will be expected and needed from Gerrard who battled injury and form in an uncharacteristically quiet season last year. She underwent surgery on her troublesome ankle in the off-season, missing the international series as a result. Her performances will be so important to the Thunderbirds title chances. Her combination with Mentor is one of the fiercest in the competition and with Australian U/21 Vice-Captain and former Vixen Sharni Layton now in the mix, Coach Woodlands-Thompson has a wealth of defensive options to call upon.
Player to watch
Avid netball followers will remember Carla Borrego (nee Williams) as the teenage shooting sensation from the 2003 World Championships. The athletic left-handed goal shooter took the competition by storm and was labeled as a superstar in the making. But, she turned her back on the sport, taking up a basketball scholarship at the University of Miami. After a six year hiatus, she is back and ready to set the ANZ Championship alight. Expect Borrego to be one of the revelations of the season. Will she provide the Thunderbirds with the firepower to go one step further in 2010?
In- Erin Bell (Swifts), Jasmine Keene (Fever), Sharni Layton (AIS), Carla Borrego
Out- Natalie Medhurst (Firebirds), Jane Altchwager (Pulse), Laura von Bertouch, Bianca Reddy
2010 Squad – Emily Beaton; Georgia Beaton; Erin Bell; Natalie von Bertouch; Kate Beveridge; Carla Borrego; Mo’onia Gerrard; Jasmine Keene; Sharni Layton; Geva Mentor; Jo Sutton; Sheree Wingard
Coach – Jane Woodlands-Thompson
Adelaide Thunderbirds (AUS)
Region: South Australia
Home stadium: ETSA Park
Broadcast: Watch the Thunderbirds in action in 2010, on SKY Sport (NZ) and Network Ten – ONE and TEN (Aus)
Membership enquiries: call 08 8238 0500 or click here
The Hottest Game in Town is back on 20th March 2010: Click here.
| 
