The top ranked Adelaide Thunderbirds made their title ambitions clear with a resounding 30-goal win over the Melbourne Kestrels at the Glen Waverley Netball Centre.

The Thunderbirds won 68-38 and shot 25 goals in the third quarter to establish a 22-goal lead going into the final quarter of their round five Commonwealth Bank Trophy match.

"It was one of the best quarters of netball we've ever played, against a quality side," said Thunderbirds coach Marg Angove.

"The machine actually worked beautifully then."

Kristen Heinrich stood out in the Thunderbirds line up, scoring 29 goals at 88 per cent and was well supported by Natalie Medhurst who scored at 97 per cent.

In Newcastle, home team the Hunter Jaegers suffered a 68-47 loss to the visiting Queensland Firebirds.

Shooter Jo Morgan was the star for the visitors while the Jaegers encountered trouble feeding the circle.

In Canberra, the Canberra Darters' winless run continued when they were beaten by 22 goals by the Sydney Swifts.

Despite a gallant effort from the Darters, the Swifts won 59-37 to maintain the heat on the Thunderbirds.

While Darters shooter Rachael Knight struggled with her form, Swifts shooters Susan Pratley and Erin Bell were in fine touch.

In the last remaining match of the round, the Perth Orioles host reigning champion the Melbourne Phoenix at the Challenge Stadium on Saturday at 7.30pm.

• Thunderbirds thrash Kestrels by 30 goals
• Kestrels prove premiership threat
• Phoenix post win, Sydney down Adelaide
• Sydney on top after downing Thunderbirds
• Swifts beat Thunderbirds
• Netballers for trans-Tasman league
• Thunderbirds, Swifts set up showdown
• Duo shine in netball opening round
• Swifts stay top, Phoenix make their move
• Swifts topple Kestrels, climb to second
• McMahon and Ellis net top awards
• Swifts end Phoenix's unbeaten streak
• Phoenix off to winning start
• Phoenix beats Firebirds in thriller
• Coaches split on grand final prediction
• Motlop wants more AFL action in Darwin
• Record crowd watches netball thriller
• Record crowd for Swifts
• Magic down Fever by 11
• Phoenix into final after beating Swifts
• Aussie netballers down South Africans
• Netballers get jump on Jamaica
• Australia downs NZ in first netball Test
• Netball boss celebrates 'perfect start'
• Aussies to face NZ in netball battle
• Phoenix hope to blast Swifts away
• Phoenix wins netball final
• Molik breaks women's drought
• Top AFL eight almost finalised
• Tigers hold second after mauling Hawks

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