Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
AO Manchester Thunder won their fifth Netball Super League title with a thrilling 54-51 win over London Pulse in front of over 8,000 fans at Co-op Live.
The grand final at the Manchester venue was tied 51-51 with less than a minute remaining before Thunder’s Eleanor Cardwell put them ahead with a two-point super shot. Player of the match Sophie Fons sealed the win, the perfect end to the Australian’s first season in England and sparked jubilant scenes among the players in yellow.
It was the Thunder’s first title since 2022, coming after they topped the regular season table.
The win also marks the third title for Thunder director and head coach Karen Gregg since taking over the team in 2016.
“I think first and foremost it was important to have a final in Manchester and away from London – to show the netball community that there is an appetite for netball in the North,” Gregg told BBC Sport.
“(There are) a lot of young fans who will go home inspired by their heroes on the court. Excited to be a part of history.
“(The) 2019 title was a rollercoaster, 2022 was special for a number of reasons, but playing in Manchester, 10 minutes down the road from where I live – I could probably throw a netball and it would land in my back garden – so we’re certainly proud to do what we can and it’s definitely going to be there.”
The Thunder got the better of a Pulse team who were crowned NSL champions for the first time last season, just two weeks after Saturday’s result went the same way. When both sides meet At the start of the playoffs.
England international Cardwell has returned home this season after three years playing at the highest level in Australia, a notable signing as he returns to his former club to continue his work. From a serious knee injury.
The 31-year-old scored a team-high 20 goals in the grand final, only the Pulse’s Liv Tichin, who managed 35, had more.
The Thunder’s success with valuable super shots proved crucial, as they managed 11 to the Pulse’s four.
Goal shooter Cardwell reflects how far netball has come in England since its early days, pushing the game towards full professionalism last season.
It’s expected to take several years before it comes to full fruition, but large-scale events in major arenas mark a step toward that goal.
“I’m thinking about the 2012 Grand Final,” Cardwell said, reminiscing A match played at Dagenham. “It was in a sports hall leisure center and it was very easy to find my mum and dad.
“Today? I can’t find them.
“It’s unbelievable, we have to keep that quality and momentum going. Also, Manchester as a city was busy today so it was amazing to see so many fans turn out for us.”
