Super Netball: Jamaican star Latanya Wilson has been named the T-Birds’ club champion

As the Thunderbirds kicked on with their premiership celebrations after claiming back-to-back Super Netball crowns with their grand final win over the Melbourne Vixens, the Jamaican ace was honoured at the club’s awards’ night on Sunday.

In her fourth season at the Thunderbirds, Wilson starred in her defensive roles outside and inside the goal circle, building on her potent connection with her fellow Jamaican Shamera Sterling-Humphrey as part of the league’s best backline.

The 23-year-old from Kingston finished the 2024 season, which culminated in the 59-57 win over the Vixens at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, with 89 deflections and 46 intercepts.

In another nod to the strength of the Thunderbirds’ defence, Sterling-Humphrey, last year’s Super Netball MVP, was also honoured as the Thunderbirds’ player of the finals.

Sterling-Humphrey propelled the Thunderbirds into the grand final with her performance in the team’s 25-goal major semi-final win two weeks ago over the Vixens with 14 gains, five intercepts, six deflections and eight rebounds.

Regarded as one of the best defenders in the world, Sterling-Humphrey finished with seven deflections, three gains and three intercepts in the grand final, in which evergreen goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George was named the MVP on Saturday night.

Thunderbirds young gun Georgie Horjus was also recognised by her teammates for her standout season in attack as the players’ player for 2024.

The 22-year-old from Kangaroo Island underlined her status as one of the hottest young talents in the league this season, starring in her split roles between wing attack and goal attack.

Horjus led the side in goal assists (230) and centre pass receives (248) this year and was the highest-ranked Thunderbirds’ player on court in the grand final with 22 feeds, 12 goal assists and seven goals.

She will now turn her attention to pushing her claim for a Diamonds’ debut after earning her first national squad selection this year alongside Thunderbirds’ defender Matilda Garrett and goaler Lucy Austin, who was named as an invitee.

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The Thunderbirds became just the second Super Netball team to claim back-to-back titles after the Sunshine Coast Lightning in 2017-18, capping off an undefeated season at home.

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ENDS