Lead

The Adelaide Thunderbirds are preparing for their third grand final in four years, taking on the Melbourne Vixens in Saturday's decider. Supporters are making the trip from Adelaide to Victoria, while the team leans on a culture of camaraderie and recent recruitment to chase another premiership.

Coverage comparison

ABC Australia's reporting highlights both the fan experience and the team's internal focus. One report centers on the Rawlins family, dedicated fans traveling from Adelaide to Melbourne with their two daughters, Eve and Tess, who are young netball players themselves. Another report focuses on co-captain Georgie Horjus, who speaks about the team's culture and recruitment strategy.

Key claims

The Thunderbirds have won back-to-back premierships in 2023 and 2024, and are aiming for a third consecutive title. Their opponent, the Melbourne Vixens, won the 2025 premiership and are looking to go back-to-back themselves. Adelaide last beat the Vixens in the semi-final on June 20 at home, while the Vixens advanced by defeating West Coast Fever in the preliminary final.

Coach Tania Obst says the team is feeling confident heading into the game, according to ABC Australia. Co-captain Georgie Horjus says the team is focused on controlling their controllables. "I think coming up against them is always a challenge," Horjus said. "They have world-class players, so you know you're going to always get a great game, and you have to put your best game out there to win."

Horjus credits the team's success to culture and recruitment. "We've been building over the years," she said. "When I first came to the club we were losing games by 20 points, so I think Tania Obst did a lot on the culture at the club. Over the last couple of years we've done so much on our culture, and we're such a connected team on and off the court."

The team has recruited international players, including South African shooter Elmeré van der Berg and New Zealand centre Kate Heffernan this season, as well as co-captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and defender Latanya Wilson from Jamaica in previous seasons. Horjus says the team has a "good mix of South Australian players as well," including herself, from Kangaroo Island, in her sixth season with the Thunderbirds.

The grand final will be held in Melbourne at the John Cain Arena, due to a sponsorship deal with Visit Victoria, as reported by ABC Australia.

Perspectives

The Rawlins family, from Adelaide, are among the dedicated fans traveling to the game. Their daughters, Eve (13) and Tess (10), attended the previous premierships and are keen to see the Thunderbirds again. "It's amazing to watch how they do it and try and use that in our games that we play on Saturdays," Tess said. Eve added, "It's very inspiring, especially for the younger generation of young netball players."

The girls' parents, Emma and Liam Rawlins, see the game as more than a sporting event. "It's so nice to be able to see confident, capable, sportswomen that are great role models for our younger girls to look up to," Mrs Rawlins said. "The opportunities that are available for our young girls these days, it's increased over the last few years." Mr Rawlins, who coaches netball, said it helped his daughters build resilience and understanding.

While Tess is confident the Thunderbirds will win — "They're going to win. They've been playing very good" — Eve is more cautious: "I wouldn't be too cocky, but definitely, it's a win or lose chance."

Horjus also acknowledged the challenge of facing the Vixens, noting their world-class players. The Thunderbirds' run to the grand final follows their semi-final victory over the Vixens, and they will now meet again with the premiership on the line.