The Thunderbirds are aiming to begin their premiership defence in front of a bumper crowd at new home the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The Firebirds meanwhile are out to get their season off to a winning start and build on their impressive showing at the Team Girls Cup in Sydney a fortnight ago.
LAST TIME WE MET
These two teams did meet in the third-place playoff at the Team Girls Cup, with the Thunderbirds taking out the game 50-38.
Our last SSN meeting was in Round Nine last year, another milestone match as vice-captain Lara Dunkley made her 50th SSN appearance.
A run of Donnell Wallam Suncorp Super Shots at the end of the third quarter had the Firebirds dreaming of causing a massive upset in Adelaide but a superb defensive display by Shamera Sterling stifled the Firebirds attack in the last quarter as the hosts claimed a 63-46 victory.
TEAM NEWS
The Firebirds welcome Tippah Dwan back to the purple dress after the Queensland product spent the past two years with the Thunderbirds, including last year’s premiership success. Young gun Isabelle Shearer is poised to make her SSN debut after an impressive pre-season campaign while Hulita Veve is back as a fulltime contracted player after several seasons as a Firebirds training partner.
Along with Dwan, the Thunderbirds lost English shooter Eleanor Cardwell in the off-season but have picked up ex-Firebirds legend Romelda Aiken-George after a single season in Sydney with the NSW Swifts. Another ex-Firebird, Laura Scherian, is also set to appear for the third club in her career after the veteran was picked up following her release by the Sunshine Coast Lightning. Goaler Lauren Frew, who spent time with the Firebirds during the 2023 pre-season, is set to debut after being handed her first SSN contract by her hometown club.
KEY MATCHUP – Matilda Garrett v Tippah Dwan
While Jamaican superstar Sterling and Wallam will resume hostilities under the post, it is the battle on the edge of the circle between Dwan and her former Thunderbirds teammate Garrett which will have a big say in the contest.
Adelaide’s defensive prowess is a key to their style, suffocating opponents and starving them of scoring opportunity. No-one will have a better knowledge of how to overcome this than Dwan after her two seasons in pink.
Garrett had a breakout 2022, making her Australian Diamonds debut, and is one of the brightest prospects in the SSN. If Dwan can get her measure though and share the scoring burden with Wallam the Firebirds will fancy their chances.
KEY STAT
It’s all about the number 150 for the Firebirds this weekend with captain Kim Ravaillion poised to achieve the milestone for national league appearances. Having recovered from off-season back surgery in time for the opening round, Ravaillion’s presence and leadership on the court will be a huge boost for her teammates as they aim to make a special day that little bit more memorable for the 30-year-old.
LAST WORD
"She's done a phenomenal job in making sure she's ticking all the boxes and getting herself as best prepared as she can be ... really excited for her that she can go out and play in round one and play in her 150th game," - Firebirds Head Coach Bec Bulley on Kim Ravaillion.
HOW TO WATCH
Watch Saturday’s clash live and on demand on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. International viewers can catch the entire 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season live and on demand via Netball Pass.
