Adelaide Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petty is set to play her 50th national league game this Sunday in front of a home crowd at Netball SA Stadium.
The 24-year-old played her 49th game as the Thunderbirds claimed an eight-goal win over the Collingwood Magpies at home last Sunday.
Hailing from Wudinna on the Eyre Peninsula, Petty has come through the Netball SA Pathway from Wudinna United Netball Club to the Eyre Academy before joining Tango in the Netball SA Premier League.
Petty debuted in the pink dress in 2016 at just 18 years of age when her side faced the West Coast Fever in the ANZ Championship competition that preceded Suncorp Super Netball (SSN).
In 2017, she captained the Under-21 Australian side who competed in the Netball World Youth Cup in Gaborone, Botswana.
After winning the club’s Spirit Award in 2019, she was named co-captain in 2020 – making her the youngest captain in the SSN at 23.
Playing in all nine games so far in 2021, Petty has collected a total 330.5 Nissan Net Points to go with 100 assists, 10 deflections and five intercepts.
Her determination and grit have been undeniable, showcased most by her 22 pick-ups – the most of any player in her team.
She was voted the fan’s Most Valuable Player in Round 1 for her courageous performance, including putting her body on the line and colliding into her team’s bench to keep ball in play.
Her second fan-voted MVP came in Round 4 when she recorded 19 feeds, 10 goals assists and six pick-ups after playing across centre and wing defence.
The Thunderbirds will host the Firebirds at 12:30pm on Sunday as Netball SA Stadium returns to 100% capacity.
“Finding out I was playing my 50th this week has certainly put a spring in my step and I just can’t wait to get out there with the girls and get another win,” Petty said.
“I told mum and dad when I found out and they were pretty excited.”
With her brother Harry also playing in Adelaide for the Melbourne Demons this weekend, the Petty family will be out in force for Petty’s milestone match.
“It’s great timing because my brother (Harry) is playing here in Adelaide this week so the whole family is down,” Petty said.
“I’ve got about 20 or so tickets, so lots of people from back home are coming over for it.”
Reflecting on her 50 games, Petty said there had been many highlights along the way.
“Making my debut was one of the biggest highlights, you always look forward to pulling on the pink dress for the first time,” Petty said.
“For me, being named captain of a club I’ve grown up following and loved was such an honour.”
For Petty, the chance to play her 50th in front of a home crowd meant the world.
“It’s extra special to play in front of a home crowd – you know they’re right behind you and we have the best fans in the league,” Petty said.
“To play in front of them when a lot of other teams can’t is a real privilege and it’s really special that I’ll be able to play my 50th in front of my family and friends who have been along the journey with me.”
