Breaking the trans-Tasman netball league record for consecutive victories doesn't mean a lot to Queensland Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke.
"No actually, you just reminded me," she told reporters after the side's 58-46 win against the Thunderbirds in Adelaide on Saturday to register their 17th successive victory.
"It hasn't been a focus at all. It was a tough game."
Their current win streak beats the mark set by the Thunderbirds across seasons 2013 and 2014.
Adelaide are winless this campaign but on Saturday were stronger than expected, keeping the Firebirds' on their toes during the first half as the reigning champions threw the ball away.
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"It's very hard to get that type of fluent game when you're playing against the Thunderbirds because they interrupt and disrupt your play ... all the way down the court," Jencke said.
The Thunderbirds regularly coughed up turnovers and trailed 22-29 at half time.
Despite falling further behind in the final quarters, coach Michelle den Dekker said her side walked away with their heads held high.
"The scores don't reflect it but I thought we did put the top side under pressure," den Dekker said.
"It's really hard when you keep getting consistent injuries because your resilience is quite low. Hopefully that's the end of it for us. We've had our fair share."
Stephanie Puopolo was awarded the Anzac Vivian Bullwinkel Medal after standing on Firebirds shooter Romelda Aiken, one of the best in the world.
Aiken was injured during the last quarter but coach Jencke remained tight-lipped about specifics.
Firebirds next play NSW Swifts in Brisbane next Saturday and the Thunderbirds go up against Auckland Mystics on May 2.
