This week was hotly contested on the defensive end, with multiple defensive players polling votes and missing out. The battle for spots in the midcourt is also heating up.
Goal Keeper: Tilly McDonell
Tilly McDonell put in one of the performances of the week, alongside April Brandley to shut down the Magpies’ shooting circle for much of the match.
While McDonell played well in the super shot period, some of her best work was early in quarters, challenging Shimona Nelson and preventing her connection with Kelsey Browne from hitting its straps.
Goal Defence: Tilly Garrett
Tilly Garrett was another defender over the weekend who put in a Sterling performance (pardon the pun). Garrett teamed up with Jamaican and Thunderbirds combination Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson to shock the Melbourne Vixens and hold the reigning minor premiers to just 50 goals.
Garrett was a key part of the defensive lineup that nullified Kiera Austin and Mwai Kumwenda, and forced 15 gains as a trio. With 15 extra possessions created by the defensive end, it was a huge swing for the Thunderbirds in their victory.
Wing Defence: Latanya Wilson
Latanya Wilson was part of an outstanding defensive end for the Thunderbirds, but her performance against Liz Watson vaulted her back into the team of the week. It has been a long time since Watson struggled to find her flow into a game the way she did against Wilson.
The performance will send shivers down the spines of Diamonds fans, who will be worried that Wilson could produce a similar performance at the pointy end of the Netball World Cup later this year, especially after a silver-medal winning performance at last year's Commonwealth Games.
Centre: Jamie-Lee Price
Jamie-Lee Price continues to show up week in and week out, and dominate. Price was a force to be reckoned with for the Giants, rolling through three opponents across the match, none of whom were able to slow her down.
Price finished with 20 goal assists, five gains and 17 second phase receives as she contributed in attack, defence and through the middle for the Giants. It was a performance that continues to push her into the frame for Diamonds selection for the Netball World Cup later this year.
Wing Attack: Georgie Horjus
Horjus is having a season to remember, and is growing into the wing attack bib in Adelaide week in and week out. Horjus' chemistry with Tippah Dwan was on show, as the two combined to take almost three quarters of all centre pass receives for the Thunderbirds, and almost as many second-phase receives.
Horjus also showed that chemistry with Dwan, and with Eleanor Cardwell as she helped set up the shooting circle for the Thunderbirds, before stepping in when Dwan left the court with an injury late in the match.
Goal Attack: Helen Housby
Housby's clutch gene is no shock at this point - it's one of the most predictable parts of any Swifts match that is close, and it was on display again, as she willed the Swifts over the line against the Lightning.
It wasn't just in the clutch, as she finished with 18 goals and 15 goal assists, acting as the glue at the shooting end for the Swifts. Housby hitting clutch shots in repeat weeks, and starting to look like her best form will be another shiver-inducing sign for Diamonds fans, who will not have forgotten the 2018 Commonwealth Games either.
Goal Shooter: Donnell Wallam
Wallam singlehandedly brought the Firebirds back to the brink in this game, after being dominated at half time. Wallam shot 55 goals, and seven super shots in a barnstorming final quarter to launch the Firebirds' comeback and almost shock the Fever.
Most pleasingly, it was her performance against the likes of Courtney Bruce and Rudi Ellis that stood out. She adjusted her game to the different goal keepers, and was a linchpin for the Firebirds the whole way through the match.
Bench
Shamera Sterling
Sterling hardly put a foot wrong, as she helped the Thunderbirds beat the Vixens, keeping Kumwenda quiet and acting as the final stop for the Thunderbirds as they launched counterattack after counterattack.
Amy Parmenter
Like Sterling, Parmenter hardly put a foot wrong against the Magpies. A dominant performance that will be putting her in the conversation for a Diamonds' berth, especially as it came against the incumbent, Ash Brazill.
Tippah Dwan
Dwan didn't finish the match, as she battled injury, but put in an outstanding effort as she worked with Cardwell to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Dwan also played a key role helping the ball move up the court, as the Thunderbirds took care of possession after winning it.
Honourable Mentions: Alice Teague-Neeld, Maddy Proud, Courtney Bruce
Teague-Neeld finds herself out of the side for the first time this year, but another strong performance helped the Fever jump out to a big lead early. Proud continues to work well through the Swifts' midcourt, her chemistry with Paige Hadley on show as she drives a mountain of work in the middle. Bruce continues to show strong form, as the foundational piece for Dan Ryan's strangling defence by the Fever.
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