Wallam’s late Super Shot seals Lightning’s Queensland derby thriller

Donnell Wallam has delivered a clutch Super Shot to lift the Sunshine Coast Lightning to a 63–62 win over the Queensland Firebirds in a tense Queensland derby, with the match decided in the final seconds at UniSC Arena.

The Round Two contest (the latest instalment of the “Battle of the Bruce”) was played at high intensity from the opening whistle as both teams looked to rebound after opening-round losses. The Firebirds struck first and carried an early edge through the first half, with the home side repeatedly forced to defend under the post against Mary Cholhok’s strong start.

Queensland went to the main break narrowly in front, but the momentum shifted after halftime as the Lightning began to find more rhythm in attack and capitalised on the Super Shot. Wallam’s scoring surge in the third quarter helped the visitors hit the front, before the Firebirds clawed their way back to set up a nail-biter finish.

With the scores tight late, Wallam demanded the ball in the Super Shot period and converted the two-point attempt that proved decisive. The Firebirds described it as a “last-gasp” shot that left the visitors “proud but shattered” as the final siren sounded.

Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds said the team had come into the derby determined to respond after a disappointing start to the season. “Last week was disappointing we certainly didn’t play to our potential and we are ready to respond this week” she said.

Beyond the result, Wallam’s performance has added to her profile as one of the game’s leading shooters and a prominent First Nations athlete in Australian sport. NAIDOC has previously described Wallam as “a proud Noongar woman from Korijekup, Western Australia” and her return to the national competition this season has been closely watched as she pushes for further Diamonds selection.

Both clubs now turn quickly to Round Three. The Lightning will host the NSW Swifts on 28 March, while the Firebirds will face the Adelaide Thunderbirds on 29 March, as the early season race begins to take shape.