The Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League concluded this weekend, with Thunderbirds making it back-to-back titles, as they beat Vixens 59-57 live on NetballPass.
It was Vixens that started the strongest, making it clear that they came into this clash with a desire to make their revenge on Thunderbirds, who had beaten them in the Major Semi-Final just a few weeks ago.
The visitors turned over Thunderbirds first centre pass, and from there they seemed to do no wrong in the first 15-minute as their Australian Diamonds shooter, Kiera Austin, did not miss a beat.
Austin went on to score 21/24 goals, and 7/7 super shots for her Vixens team.
At the first break it was Vixens that lead 13-16, forcing Thunderbirds to make some early changes.
Among the change the Netball Family tuned in on NetballPass saw Jamaican Sunshine Girl Latanya Wilson moved to goal defence with the job of sticking on Austin, and what a difference that made for the table toppers.
By half time things were back level at 28-28, and then in the third quarter the Sunshine Girl defensive duo, of Wilson and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, upped their game again.
Both Wilson and Sterling-Humphrey went on to make three gains each, with Sterling-Humphrey also making three interceptions.
In front of their sold-out home crowd the Thunderbirds made their comeback as they won the first third quarter, 14-13 and took the lead.
Despite Thunderbirds stronger second and third quarters, it was all still to play for in this Grand Final with 15 minutes to play.
Thunderbirds pulled ahead early in the final term, leading by 6 at one stage, but as has been so common this season Austin was on hand to pull that back with her ever accurate super shot, keeping Vixens in contention.
Another Vixen’s Australian Diamond this time, Laura Scherian, then impressed making an intercept in the dying minutes, but sadly a missed Super Shot from Sophie Garbin meant the visitors ran out of time to level the scores and take the game to extra time.
The game finished at 59-57 to Thunderbirds, and you can catch up on this game and all other games from the SSN season on NetballPass now.