Elmeré van der Berg knew the ball wasn’t going out – even if everyone else thought it was.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds’ new recruit had just caught the netball, landing millimetres from the white line at a pivotal point during her side’s clash with the Melbourne Mavericks on Easter Saturday.
The 191-centimetre, South African-born shooter quickly spun and jumped, shooting the ball mid-air before falling out of the court. Her gobsmacked opponent, lulled into a false sense of security, could only watch the netball sail through the air and straight through the hoop.
Van der Berg said she had no idea her opponent looked so shocked until she saw replays of the incident, which had spread across social media.
“I think we have really good awareness of where the line is and if you’re out or not,” she told this masthead.
“So when I landed, I knew I wasn’t out, and then I’m about to fall out [of] the court, so I just tried to put the shot in, and it went in … which was pretty cool.
“It’s good to have those moments that hype up the team.”
Van de Berg’s stunning efforts propelled the Thunderbirds to triumph 55 to 48, starting the season with four consecutive wins for the first time since 2006. She is the leading shooter in the league, with 239 goals so far including a record-breaking 59 from 61 shots in the opening round.
The top scorer in the UK’s Netball Super League in 2025, Van der Berg made her debut for the Thunderbirds this season and has already generated significant fanfare for her classy shooting style.
The Thunderbirds are set to face reigning premiers Melbourne Vixens this Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd at John Cain Arena.
The Vixens’ Hannah Mundy said the fact both sides would head into the contest undefeated made the clash even more exciting.
“I think it’s such a great time in the season to be tested side against the Thunderbirds,” Mundy said. “We’re playing some really good netball, and I think we know we have it in us to beat them.”
Mundy said Adelaide’s recruits added a new layer of depth to their playing list, which thrives on imposing its formidable defensive pressure.
The Vixens are also keeping a close eye on Van der Berg. Mundy and her teammates had seen the footage of the shooter’s classy moves and had a plan ready.
“She’s [Van der Berg] obviously new to the competition, and she has shown a lot of athleticism and accuracy. I think our defenders will just try to create chaos and confusion for the feeders going in because at the moment, the feeders are feeding her quite well,” she said.
“So I think it is a full court effort. It’s not just the goalkeeper to have the responsibility on her. It’s kind of on everyone to make sure there are hands over the ball and there’s a bit of disruption.”
Mundy – now fully recovered from her foot injury last season – said the Vixens were ready to continue their premiership charge and go back-to-back.
Van der Berg was also ready for a blockbuster clash, adding playing for the Australian Super Netball League had a higher pressure playing style compared to the UK league.
“Stepping onto the court, it feels like you’re actually playing international game,” she said.“The training schedule is also a bit more intense … we do more throughout the week than we did in the UK.”
Hailing from a town just outside of Bloemfontein in South Africa, the former teacher has loved every minute of her Australian debut season, especially the warmer weather and beaches.
The 24-year-old jokingly described herself as an impatient person, so has revelled in Adelaide’s quiet atmosphere and lack of traffic.
“Australia is nothing like the UK. I love Australia,” she laughed.
“Since the moment I arrived here, I never wanted to go. The team is very welcoming … the environment is very healthy.
“I’m really enjoying my netball and enjoying Australia. I’m not missing home.”
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Hannah Kennelly is an award-winning sports reporter and Formula 1 writer at The Age.Connect via email.
