Adelaide Thunderbirds blitz Melbourne Vixens to win Super Netball grand final

Adelaide have claimed a record third Super Netball premiership, steamrolling the Melbourne Vixens in a 61-40 grand final triumph.

Suffering just one loss in a fairytale season, the Thunderbirds shattered the Vixens’ title defence to cement their status as the competition’s most successful team in front of 10,040 fans at John Cain Arena.

This year’s minor premiers, Adelaide were simply a class above the Vixens and fired off 21 goals to eight in a second-quarter blitz en route to victory.

The Thunderbirds won by the largest ever grand final margin, beating the 17-goal benchmark set by Sunshine Coast Lightning and the NSW Swifts in 2017 and 2019 respectively.

Thunderbirds captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and fellow Jamaican international Latanya Wilson delivered on the grand final stage, nullifying the Vixens’ attack of Diamonds mainstays Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin.

Elmere van der Berg scored 51 goals for the Thunderbirds during the Super Netball grand final against the Vixens. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

South African shooter Elmere van der Berg held up the other end for the Thunderbirds, scoring 51 goals from 52 attempts in her maiden grand final appearance after joining the league this season.

Adelaide win their first grand final since going back-to-back in 2023 and 2024 – all three with coach Tania Obst at the helm.

The Vixens fell short in their bid to claim two straight titles for the first time in club history, having now lost two of their past three consecutive grand final appearances.