The Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League Preliminary Final took place this weekend, and it was everything it promised to be and more.
It was Fever who started the strongest against Vixens, with their Jamaican Sunshine Girl, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, getting in on the action early making a turnover, and helping her side take a 5-goal lead.
However, it was not long before Vixen’s retaliated through their Australian Diamond shooter, Kiera Austin, who just could not miss from that Super Shot position.
The second quarter then went goal for goal, with nothing able to separate the two teams meaning the score sat at 37-38 to Fever at the main break, leaving it all still to play for in the second half.
It was Fever that once again started the second half the strongest, but the introduction of Australian Diamond defender Emily Mannix for Vixens changed the game.
Mannix made an instant impact in defence, applying constant pressure to Jamaican Sunshine Girl Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard in the circle, and for the first time the Fever errors began to creep in.
None other than Austin was then on hand to capitalise on the Fever mistakes and continue to increase her goal scoring tally for Vixens.
Austin went on to score 25/27 of her shots, and 4/5 of her Super Shots, teaming up with domestic and international teammate Sophie Garbin, who scored a further 36 goals and two Super Shots.
Vixens were then five goals up going into the final term, and they took that third quarter momentum with them as more Australian Diamonds, this time in Kate Moloney and Hannah Mundy, lead the way in attack punching through the mid court.
Fever gave it everything in the dying minutes, with Fowler-Nembhard and Alice Teague Neeld constantly putting up Super Shots, but they simply ran out of time to catch the Vixen’s who won the game 73-72 and booked their spot in the Grand Final against Minor Premiership winners, Thunderbirds.
Vixens will be looking to get revenge in the Grand Final, as they faced Thunderbirds just 10 days ago in the Major Semi, with Thunderbirds dominating that game and taking the win 68-43.
You can catch up on both Semi Finals and the Preliminary Final, as well as watch the Grand Final live and on demand on NetballPass when you purchase a finals pass for just £4.99 GBP.
To view all the results, the current table, and read our International Player Watch preview, visit our SSN page here.