Netball

Thunderbirds find confidence in defeat at hands of Lightning

• APRIL 25, 20174:17PM

Fiona Themann, right, with Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Stephanie Wood. Picture: Mark Calleja

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• Warren Partland
• The Advertiser

THE group hug before the Super Netball game between Adelaide and the Sunshine Coast on the weekend was an indication the players are united, according to Thunderbirds defender Fiona Themann.

The Thunderbirds and Lightning players stood together in the middle of the court in Brisbane on Saturday night after being introduced — and Themann said it showed the players were as one as they react to the failure of Kathryn Harby-Williams to be re-elected to the Netball Australia board.

The Australian Netball Players Association had backed down from its threat to strike if Harby-Williams did not retain her spot, but still managed to send its message.

“What all the teams did was show the players are united,” Themann said. “We are going to support whatever the players association decide.”

Themann said the drama had not been a distraction in the lead up to the clash against the Lightning and the focus had been on the game. She had never expected the players to strike.

The Thunderbirds were beaten by nine goals, but the third quarter challenge when they closed the gap from 12 goals to two has fuelled the side’s confidence going into the battle against NSW Swifts, just one point above them on the ladder, at Adelaide Arena on Saturday night.

“We can take a lot of positives out of that game and we are starting to get our game together,” Themann said. “We go out every game believing we can win and this week will be no different.”

The work of Themann and Ama Agbeze in the defensive circle was terrific against the Australian Diamonds combination of Caitlin Bassett and Stephanie Wood, getting their hands to plenty of turnover ball.

And the statistics prove the Thunderbirds took advantage of most turnovers.

A key for the Thunderbirds in being far more competitive in the past two games has been stability with the line-up, with coach Dan Ryan using only eight players each week.

“There has been more stability, especially in the front line and you can see those connections,” Themann said. “The girls are letting the ball go.

“We just need to see it for 60 minutes. It won’t be easy against the Swifts.

“They have had some close games against top teams and they have some serious talent in their line-up.”