Adelaide have celebrated their Super Netball minor premiership in dominant fashion, thrashing Sunshine Coast 67-49.
But the Diamonds and Lightning may be left to count the cost of the loss after attacker Cara Koenen left the court in the third quarter with a finger injury.
After the second-placed Melbourne Vixens suffered a 59-50 loss to the Melbourne Mavericks last Sunday, the Thunderbirds (13-1) knew that Saturday's result at UniSC Arena wouldn't affect their final standing on the ladder, as they sat an unassailable two wins clear of last season's premiers.
Regardless, they looked desperate for a victory knowing that a win against the star-studded Lightning would provide the perfect preparation for their home major semi-final against the Vixens next week.
New Zealand international and Thunderbirds centre Kate Heffernan was instrumental, upstaging Diamonds captain Liz Watson with 35 feeds, 24 goal assists and three gains in a potential Commonwealth Games match-up.
Defender Latanya Wilson was prolific with seven gains and four interceptions, while goal shooter Elmere van der Berg dispatched 52 goals from 56 attempts and a Super Shot to extend her lead at the top of the scorer's standings.
"We were really clear on what we wanted to do and I think that helps me just be able to worry about my job in the middle," Heffernan told Fox Sports.
"A lot of confidence to take away from that, but also there's still some little areas we need to definitely look at and work on."
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Regardless, Adelaide dominated from the outset and even a spirited pep talk from the Lightning's coach Belinda Reynolds couldn't spark the home team as the visitors went on a late 9-1 run to end the first quarter.
Sunshine Coast's finals hopes were dashed by a shock 66-59 loss to the Queensland Firebirds last Saturday, and they couldn't end their season on a high as they lacked composure in crucial moments, coughing up 36 turnovers.
The Thunderbirds started by going on a 6-1 run, but the Lightning trailed by just four goals at quarter time.
The Lightning (5-9) continued to knock on the door, but countless errors cruelled their chances of closing the deficit as Adelaide ballooned their advantage to 34-21 at the main break.
It was a frantic start to the second half as the T'birds made a flurry of changes, but Adelaide settled to complete the victory.
