Adelaide Thunderbirds have sounded a warning to the rest of the Super Netball competition after a dominant 66-42 victory over the previously undefeated Sunshine Coast Lightning.
The Lightning entered the clash at UniSC Arena on top of the ladder following double-digit wins over the Giants and state rivals Queensland Firebirds but were overwhelmed by a rampant Thunderbirds side that looked a class above for the majority of the night.
Coming off a seventh-placed finish last season, the revamped Thunderbirds have yet to taste defeat in 2023 with the addition of English goaler Eleanor Cardwell and the development of local talent Georgie Horjus and Tayla Williams bolstering a squad already containing elite Jamaican goal keeper Shamera Sterling.
A blazing finish to the first half handed Adelaide a comprehensive 35-22 lead and the home side were unable to claw their way back into the contest as the visitors completely shut down the Lightning's attacking options on the way to winning every quarter.
"I just felt we were all really connected throughout the whole 60 minutes," Cardwell told Fox Sports after the Thunderbirds' resounding victory.
"We've been struggling to get that start for the past two weeks so I'm really proud of the girls being able to grind out that win and put some goals on the board."
Cardwell powered Adelaide's attack with 51 goals at almost 95 per cent accuracy and Williams (34 feeds, 19 goal assists) impressed in midcourt, while defender Matilda Garrett combined with Sterling to collect 12 gains and seven interceptions.
"The culture that these girls have is amazing, they've made it super easy for me to slip into the team," Cardwell said about her experience since arriving in Adelaide from English Superleague team Manchester Thunder.
"They're just the most amazing group. I couldn't be happier with the girls that are on my team."
The Thunderbirds closed a tightly contested opening quarter with a late burst of goals to edge ahead 16-12 then pounced late in the second term with Cardwell closing the half on a run of six consecutive goals, including a Super shot, to leave Sunshine Coast trailing by 13 at the main break.
The halftime deficit could have been far greater if not for the efforts of Kadie-Ann Dehaney in defence but a tally of 13 turnovers, seven of those unforced, from the home side contributed to Adelaide's success.
First-year coach Belinda Reynolds tried various combinations throughout the second half as the Lightning battled to halt Adelaide's momentum but the visitors cruised to an unassailable 50-33 buffer after three quarters.
