Live: Thunderbirds three-peat dream over as Vixens win semifinal thriller

It came down to a super shot off to finish this minor semifinal and although Georgie Horjus converted more of them (6/9) Vixens goal attack Kiera Austin was more accurate (5/5). She made her attempts at the long bomb count.

“I’m super proud of [the team],” Austin told Fox Netball.

“It was such a great game, and all due respect to the Thunderbirds, because they have been absolute champions over the last couple of years.

“We’re happy for the win, it means we can continue on in the finals campaign.”

The boos ring out at Adelaide Entertainment Centre. It’s not the best sportsmanship from the crowd but they’re clearly disappointed their team’s chance at a three-peat is over. For the Vixens, their head coach Simone McKinnis remains in her position at the helm for an extra week. This will be considered a huge upset. As the Vixens last beat the Thunderbirds back in round two in the 2024 season. Since then they’d lost six straight matches to the defending premiers (including a pre-season game). Georgie Horjus has a chance at a super shot with 1:30 on the clock but missed. That would have seen the Thunderbirds take the lead. Instead, the Vixens were able to take the ball and hold onto possession to wind the clock down. What a match!

Kiera Austin will not be outshone in this department and responds with own super shot. It’s a super shot shootout to finish in Adelaide. Less than two minutes left now.

SCORE: Vixens lead 57-56

The Thunderbrids goal attack has a lot of pressure on her shoulders right now but she’s standing up to the contest. On their next centre pass, Horjus goes back-to-back with the two-pointers and sees her team take the lead with just over two minutes left in the game.

SCORE: TBirds lead 56-55

Kayla Graham – the youngest player on court – has just come up with a huge intercept in the middle third. Horjus backs that up with a huge super shot!

SCORE: Vixens lead 55-54

It felt like there could have been a shift in momentum there, but a handling mistake from the Thunderbirds shooter sees the Vixens add another to the scoreboard.

SCORE: Vixens lead 55-52

The super shot siren has just gone and the Vixens were going to have the first go at it in this fourth quarter. But Kiera Austin and Kate Moloney have been pinged for a short pass on the edge of the circle. Instead the Thunderbirds score a one.

SCORE: Vixens lead 54-52

Matilda Garrett looks as if she’s rolled her ankle. So she’s taken herself off. A defensive change forced for the Thunderbirds. Latanya Wilson takes on the GK bib for the first time today, Sanmarie Visser into GD and Hannah Petty back on in WD.

The Vixens goal keeper Rudi Ellis holds the front space over Romelda Aiken-George and cuts off a pass meant for the Jamaican shooter. Vixens reward her efforts with a goal. We’re less than two minutes away from the final super shot period.

SCORE: Vixens lead 53-50

An uncharacteristic bad pass from the Thunderbirds goal attack to her shooting partner. Although a close-up on the broadcast shows at some point in the match she’s copped a black eye. Maybe the swelling is impacting her vision? Either way Vixens take the ball full court in transition to convert.

SCORE: 50-47

Kiera Austin has had a hot hand so far but she’s just missed her first shot at goal for this final quarter. Latanya Wilson quick on the rebound and Romelda Aiken-George converts.

SCORE: Thunderbrids 46-44

Sanmarie Visser is now into the wing defence position with Matilda Garrett back on in GK. The captain Hannah Petty is off.

With 15 minutes left to play and a spot in the preliminary final on the line. The Vixens are looking the better side at the final break.

The Thunderbirds goal attack replies with 12 seconds left.

SCORE: Vixens lead45-42

The Vixens’ goal attack has her fourth super shot of the game with 25 seconds left in this quarter.

SCORE: Vixens lead 45-40

These two seem happy to have a shooting contest from the white arc! Austin hits another super shot to keep the pressure on the home side.

SCORE: Vixens lead 42-38

Less than three minutes to go in this third quarter and Horjus hits a two-pointer.

SCORE: Vixens lead 40-38

Ahead of the super shot period, Thunderbirds No.11 player Sophie Casey re-enters the game at centre replacing Tayla Williams.

Kate Eddy pinches the ball in the pocket and Sophie Garbin converts.

SCORE: Vixens lead 37-34

Last week’s X-Factor player is injected into the game halfway through the third quarter. Matilda Garrett is pulled off and South African import Sanmarie Visser replaces her at GK.

SCORE: Vixens lead 34-33