A STRONG start wasn’t enough for the Queensland Firebirds as the Adelaide Thunderbirds claimed a 59-44 win in Sunday’s Suncorp Super Netball opener at Nissan Arena.
With defender Remi Kamo debuting as Firebird No.106 and Head Coach Bec Bulley leading the team for the first time in SSN, Queensland got off to a flyer in front of a home crowd of 3326 – holding a 17-15 advantage after the opening quarter.
A run of six unanswered goals to start the second term suddenly had the home side up by eight points with superstar shooter Donnell Wallam leading the charge on the scoreboard.
The Thunderbirds however were sparked by back-to-back Suncorp Super Shots to reduce the deficit with the Firebirds holding a one-point lead at halftime.
Queensland were unable to keep pace with the Thunderbirds in the third and fourth quarters however, with English import Eleanor Cardwell scoring 28 goals from 30 shots including three Suncorp Super Shots as they pulled away to a 15-goal win.
There was another highlight in the third quarter when Emily Moore came off the bench to become Firebird No.107, scoring her first SSN goal shortly after her introduction.
Wallam was the Firebirds’ leading scorer, ending the match with 34 goals from 38 attempts including one Suncorp Super Shot in an epic contest against player of the match Thunderbirds defender Shamera Sterling.
Debutante Kamo and defensive partner Ruby Bakewell-Doran showed their battling qualities throughout against the Thunderbirds attacking rotation of Cardwell, Lucy Austin and Tippah Dwan.
Captain Kim Ravaillion recorded 27 feeds and 14 goal assists in the mid-court while Lara Dunkley picked up 41 Nissan NetPoints despite playing less than two quarters.
The Firebirds will look to bounce back when they host Sunshine Coast Lighting in a round two Battle of the Bruce at Nissan Arena from 4pm, Saturday 25 March.
