The Firebirds are out to bounce back immediately after a heart-breaking one-point loss in a bruising ANZAC Round clash with the Melbourne Mavericks at Nissan Arena last weekend, with another win crucial to keeping their top-four hopes on track.
The Thunderbirds, meanwhile, continued their strong first half of the season with a one-goal home win over Sunshine Coast Lightning last weekend, taking them to six wins from seven matches and second spot on the ladder.
LAST TIME WE MET
The last meeting between the sides was a tough afternoon for the Firebirds, with the Thunderbirds claiming a 73-46 win at Nissan Arena in Round 3.
Elsa Sif Sandholt was a rare bright spot for Queensland in just her second SSN appearance, scoring 30 points including six Suncorp Super Shots, while Lara Dunkley battled hard through the midcourt.
The visitors controlled all four quarters, with Shamera Sterling-Humphrey producing a dominant defensive display to lead Adelaide to victory.
TEAM NEWS
The Firebirds have named an unchanged squad from last week’s clash with the Mavericks, with New Zealand international Maddy Gordon having successfully returned from a hamstring injury while Imogen Allison also made her comeback from an ankle complaint last weekend.
Jessie Laga'aia retains her place for a third straight week as the training partner remains in the squad as a replacement for injured Macy Gardner, who continues to recover from a calf strain.
The Thunderbirds are also unchanged, with Head Coach Tania Obst enjoying the rare luxury this season of a fully fit roster.
KEY MATCHUP – MARY CHOLHOK v SHAMERA STERLING-HUMPHREY
Uganda goaler Cholhok has been in sensational form since being benched after just 12 minutes when these teams last met. The 201cm spearhead has scored 60-plus goals in two of the past four matches and sits fifth on the overall scorers list in the league with 286 goals so far this season.
She will be eager to make amends against Jamaican star Sterling-Humphrey, who was the MVP in the Thunderbirds’ big Round 3 win with an incredible 13 gains and five intercepts in a dominant defensive display.
If Cholhok can establish herself early in the circle and limit Sterling-Humphrey’s influence, it will go a long way towards giving the Firebirds the platform they need to turn the tables.
KEY STAT
The Thunderbirds have won the past four meetings in Adelaide. The Firebirds’ last win in the City of Churches came in Round 10, 2021 when they recorded a 63-47 victory.
LAST WORD
“That fourth spot is still up for grabs. It's going to be a good test, we've got Thunderbirds and then Vixens - two top of the table (teams) - but, hey, that's the way to test ourselves and if we can come through those games we're going to be so confident and feel unstoppable.” - Firebirds midcourter MADDY GORDON is eager for her and her teammates to show what they can do against the league’s best over the next fortnight.
HOW TO WATCH
For fans residing in Australia, you can watch live on Foxtel, Kayo and BINGE.
