The stage is set for a blockbuster Soft & Gentle Netball Super League Grand Final as AO Manchester Thunder and London Pulse go head-to-head at Co-op Live, making history as the first sporting final to be staged at the Arena.
Whilst for Thunder, it is an opportunity to finish a dominant season with silverware, on home soil, for the reigning champions, Pulse, it is a chance to defend their crown after overcoming Loughborough Lightning in the Preliminary Final.
Season Form:
AO Manchester Thunder
Karen Greig’s side faced a couple of early-season defeats, after a slow start in the Super Cup in March, but Thunder have not lost since. Ending the season with 12 wins from 14 games, and a victory over Pulse, 60-56, in the major semi-final.
They finished the regular season with the best goal difference, scoring 934 whilst conceding 771, with England Roses’ goal-shooter Eleanor Cardwell making a statement return with impressive form (420 goals, 73 super shots). Alongside her in the shooting circle, Sophie Fawns has scored 181 goals and 53 Amex Super Shots.
London Pulse
Sam Bird’s side lost only two matches in the regular season, Loughborough Lightning and AO Manchester Thunder, but finished second by a point with the Manchester side having picked up a bonus point in the first round match between the two sides.
Finishing second meant Pulse had to travel to Thunder in the major semi-final, where they faced their third loss of the season, but they then overcame Loughborough Lightning 60-56 in the preliminary final to reach the Final for the second year running.
Pulse have had impressive performers at both ends of the court. England Roses’ Liv Tchine has scored 445 goals, including 51 super shots, while Funmi Fadoju has the most interceptions (35) and deflections (113) across the regular season. Fadoju leads their defensive side in stats, alongside Halimat Adio, creating 15 interceptions and 40 deflections as they created the best defence in the competition, as they conceded only 755 goals in the regular season.
Head-to-Head in 2026:
The two sides have shared the points throughout 2026.
Pulse claimed an early-season 56-51 victory over Thunder, coming out of the Super Cup with momentum and demonstrating the quality that led to their first league title in 2025. However, Thunder responded with a dominant round 11 performance, winning 64-52, and edged Pulse by 4 goals in the Major Semi-Final thanks to a clinical effort from the whole side.
The Soft & Gentle Grand Final:
Thunder have combined consistency, experience and home-court advantage throughout the campaign, while Pulse have once again proven their resilience, battling their way through the play-offs to keep their title defence alive.
Thunder will be looking for a first title since 2022, aiming to add a fifth and equal Team Bath’s record, but Pulse will be looking to make it back-to-back Final wins after last year’s maiden win at the O2 Arena.
AO Manchester Thunder v London Pulse
- Saturday 20 June, 3pm
- Live on Sky Sports
Leave a Reply