Down by just one point going into the final quarter at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the Firebirds just couldn't keep pace with the back-to-back Suncorp Super Netball premiers in the last term as the hosts took a seven goal win.
The hard-fought nature of the contest was evident from the outset with both teams forcing turnovers and mistakes before the Thunderbirds secured a two-point edge at the end of the first quarter.
The Firebirds put together a brilliant run in the second quarter, up 9-4 in the term to be leading by two when the Thunderbirds called a time-out with just over four minutes to go in the half.
That break lead to a change in momentum however, the Thunderbirds scoring the next seven goals to suddenly be back in the lead and up by four at the break.
Post the break however the Firebirds came out firing with their best quarter of the match, Abigail Latu-Meafou combining with Mary Cholhok in the goal circle as the Firebirds won the term 20-17 to be down by just one going into the last stanza.
Adelaide stole the early momentum in the term to reopen a four-goal lead but the Firebirds again fought back, levelling at 51-all to give hope of a much-needed win.
But the premiers showed all of their championship class in the closing minutes of the game to run away with the points as the Firebirds pushed to get back in the contest but couldn't hang on.
Latu-Meafou, playing against her former team, nailed six of seven Suncorp Super Shots while Ruby Bakewell-Doran was sensational in defence, the Firebirds co-captain recording six gains, five intercepts and two deflections in a performance that didn't deserve to be on a losing side.
The Firebirds return home next weekend to host the Melbourne Mavericks in their annual Pride Match at Nissan Arena.
Tickets to all Firebirds home games are available now through Ticketek.
