The Adelaide Thunderbirds have ended the trans-Tasman netball season on a high with an 11-goal win over Central Pulse in Adelaide.
It was a fitting send off for Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson, who is stepping down after 8 years, and retiring midcourter Leigh Waddington.
Sunday's 62-51 result was in little doubt from midway through the first quarter when the home side went on a 7-nil spree.
The Pulse had no answer for shooter Carla Borrego who landed 42 goals at 89 per cent in another most valuable player performance.
Woodlands-Thompson said she could not have asked for a better performance under the circumstances.
"I'm just so wrapped they played in the spirit they did to finish off the game for Leigh, for me, for the fans. It really is the way I wanted to finish," she said.
"It has been really overwhelming. I have been really proud to be part of the Thunderbirds since their initial game and proud of the brand that we have set up."
Woodlands-Thompson finishes as the first coach in the history of the competition to lead a side to two premierships. However, she admits it might be time for change at the club.
"We were last in our conference and, yes, it is the hardest conference but the final analysis is it is not good enough for this proud club and there does have to be some change," she said.
The game was almost certainly also the last for Pulse coach Robyn Broughton who is finishing up at season's end.
The Wellington based side now needs to rely on other results to make the finals.
Broughton said the Thunderbirds rose to the occasion.
"I thought they played with a lot of emotion, really," she said.
"I think a lot of it was Jane's last game because they just went out there and were optimistic and played out of their skins."
With eight current or former internationals in her side, Broughton said missing the finals was not good enough.
"We struggled all year in our shooting end, we were in and out, up and down.
"I'd say it is unfinished business. This is the second biggest loss we've had.
"We've gone off the boil a bit."
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