Thunderbirds dual premiership captain calls time on decorated netball career

Adelaide Thunderbirds dual premiership captain and one-club legend Hannah Petty has called time on her decorated netball career.

After 10 seasons in pink, 6 as captain, 110 games across Super Netball and the ANZ Championship, and two premierships, the South Australian played her final match in the side’s home semi-final.

Hailing from the small town of Wudinna on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, Petty made many sacrifices in her commitment to the game she loves, including countless 12-hour round trips to Adelaide.

She ultimately made the move to Adelaide to board at Immanuel College as she pursued her netball dreams and quickly made a name for herself as she progressed through the Netball SA pathway.

The versatile midcourter joined Tango Netball Club in the Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League and represented South Australia in the 17U, 19U and 21U State Teams.

A clear standout, she made her national debut for the Thunderbirds in 2016 at just 18 years of age, in the final year of the ANZ Championship competition.

The year after, she captained the Australian side at the Netball World Youth Cup in Botswana – a sign of what was to come for the natural leader.

In 2019, Petty received her first Spirit Award at the club’s awards night, voted in by her teammates for best representing the team’s values on and off the court.

The following year, she was named captain for the first time, as her side entered the COVID-19 Hub in Queensland. 

From there, Petty was consistently voted in by her teammates and coaches to lead her club and took out the Spirit Award in both 2021 and 2022.

In 2023, the South Australian led her home club to ultimate success, playing in her first SSN finals series and bringing home the trophy for her first premiership.

After lifting the trophy for her side at the Grand Final in Melbourne, she went on to represent Australia at the 2023 Fast5 Netball World Series, named as vice-captain.

Following the 2024 season, she joined an exclusive club as the third Thunderbirds captain to secure dual premierships, following in the footsteps of icons Kath Harby-Williams and Nat von Bertouch.

She also became just the second captain to secure back-to-back championships for the club after Harby-Williams first did so back in 1998-99.

In Round 5 of the 2025 season, Petty notched up 100 national league games, as her side defeated the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane.

She pulled on the pink dress for the final time as her side went down to the Melbourne Vixens by just two goals in a home semi-final on Sunday, July 20.

“I am so grateful and thankful to have been a part of this club and wear the pink dress for my whole career,” Petty said.

“I want to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey and helped me along the way. To the Pink Army, you have made playing in front of you so special.

“To my teammates and coaches, there’s been many of you, thanks for making me a better netballer and more importantly a better person. 

“Never in my wildest dreams, would a little girl from Wudinna be signing off after 10 years.”

Thunderbirds head coach Tania Obst said Petty’s impact on the club was undeniable.

“What an incredible chapter it has been for Hannah,” Obst said.

“Her journey has been defined by hard work, loyalty to the team and program, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

“Hannah has shown what it means to lead by example through her attitude and actions.

“As a coach it’s been a privilege to watch Hannah grow from the 14-year-old rocking up to state 17 trials all the way through to holding aloft the SSN premiership trophy.

“She leaves behind a legacy built on integrity, grit, and heart — and that will always be something to be proud of.”