Fans hope to see Thunderbirds win netball grand final for third time

Adelaide Thunderbirds fans are gearing up for their third grand final in four years, this time against the Melbourne Vixens, as on-court success flows on to supporters.

The Rawlins family are some of the dedicated fans making the trek from Adelaide to Victoria for the decider on Saturday.

Eve and Tess, who are young players themselves, are stoked to see their idols at the big dance again after witnessing the Thunderbirds' most recent premierships in 2023 and 2024.

They aim to emulate the Thunderbirds' skills in their own games.

"It's amazing to watch how they do it and try and use that in our games that we play on Saturdays," 10-year-old Tess said.

"It's very inspiring, especially for the younger generation of young netball players," Eve, 13, said.

"The support in Adelaide for women's sport is amazing, and it's just very heartwarming to see the fanbase that follows the Thunderbirds."

The Adelaide Thunderbirds won back-to-back premierships in 2023 and 2024, both of which the Rawlins sisters attended.

Tess is confident they can do it again.

"They're going to win. They've been playing very good," she said.

Her older sister had a more measured take.

"I wouldn't be too cocky, but definitely, it's a win or lose chance," Eve said.

Role models for girls

The girls' parents, Emma and Liam Rawlins, say the game is teaching them more than just netball skills, win or lose.

"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 to build resilience and an understanding that not winning every game was not the end of the world.

"But I think also them seeing a successful period does show them there's great things they can achieve if you work hard," he said.

He said seeing how well the Thunderbirds had played this year was fantastic.

"It's nice they can have someone they can aspire to, not necessarily to emulate and be a carbon copy of, but to take their values and what they do on court," he said.

"The best thing about the Thunderbirds is that they engage with their community really well, getting opportunities for the girls to see the players up close, get autographs, coaching clinics, all of that's really great for them."

Team buoyed by support

Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst said it was fantastic to hear people were making the trek.

"Our supporters have been with us throughout the whole year, and the ones that are coming over, we'll give them something to cheer about,"

she said.

"We know that they'll cheer us on.

"We're looking forward to seeing them maybe at captain's run on Friday, then at the game and hearing them support us during the game."

Obst said the team was feeling confident heading into the game against the Vixens.

"The last couple of times, the wins have been quite different, and it was good for us to experience that," she said.

"We're doing things in different ways, and I think that gives us confidence to know that if we can stick to our processes, we should have the outcome we're after."