The Vixens’ Dreams Crushed as the Fever Clings to Title Defence

The West Coast Fever Secure Place in Super Netball Preliminary Final with Victory over Melbourne Vixens

The West Coast Fever have advanced to the Super Netball preliminary final after a hard-fought victory over the Melbourne Vixens. In a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Fever managed to secure a seven-point win, booking their place in the next round of the finals.

Missed Opportunities for the Vixens

The Melbourne Vixens will be left ruing missed opportunities as they fell away in the closing minutes of the match. Goal attack Kiera Austin’s two missed shots and a monster block will surely haunt her as her team bowed out of the finals. Despite the disappointment, Vixens‘ coach Simone McKinnis praised her team’s effort, stating, “It’s just those moments in the last quarter where it was there and we didn’t make it. It’s disappointing and it hurts, but I couldn’t ask for more effort.”

Controversial Sale of the Grand Final Venue

The Vixens‘ exit from the finals race brings the controversial sale of the Super Netball grand final venue back into the spotlight. With hosting rights sold to Victoria, this will be the first time, outside of the Covid hub years, that two interstate clubs will compete in the decider on neutral territory. This decision has sparked debates about fairness and the impact it may have on the game.

Fever‘s Strong Performance

The West Coast Fever, on the other hand, put on a strong performance following their recent loss to the bottom-ranked Magpies. Captain Courtney Bruce attributed their success to a changed lead-up to the game, including taking a day off to recover and regroup. This change in approach seemed to have paid off as the Fever managed to overcome the Vixens and secure their spot in the preliminary final.

A Close and Entertaining Match

The match between the Fever and the Vixens was highly anticipated due to the close competition between the two teams throughout the season. While it may not have reached the same level of excitement as the Thunderbirds’ comeback win in the previous game, it still kept fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams displayed crisp attacking skills and defensively, gains were hard to come by.

Jhaniele Fowler’s Dominance

Jamaican superstar Jhaniele Fowler was a standout for the Fever, earning MVP honors with an impressive shooting performance, scoring 55 out of 57 goals. The Vixens defenders struggled to contain her, with Jo Weston and Em Mannix both forced to take a break due to injuries during the match. Despite their return, Weston’s injury caused concern for the Australian Diamonds camp, especially with the upcoming World Cup.

A Game of Penalties

In contrast to the previous day’s game, which saw subpar officiating and a heated atmosphere, this match had a significant number of penalties called by the umpires. A total of 141 penalties were called, indicating that the umpires were focused on maintaining good order throughout the game. The players were reminded to stay tidy on the court after yesterday’s incident.

Preliminary Final and Grand Final

The West Coast Fever will now face the NSW Swifts in the preliminary final, with the winner advancing to the grand final against the Adelaide Thunderbirds. The Fever‘s strong performance in this match will give them confidence heading into the next round, and they will be eager to secure a spot in the final against the Thunderbirds.

The Future of Hannah Mundy

Rising star Hannah Mundy’s future is now in the spotlight as all Super Netball players are set to be off-contract in September. Currently playing behind the Australian captain at the Vixens, Mundy has seen limited court time, averaging just 25 minutes per game this season. As a potential future prospect for the Diamonds, there are discussions about whether she will consider moving to another club in search of more playing time.

The Value of Bench Players

The West Coast Fever have relied heavily on their starting lineup throughout the 2023 season, with minimal minutes given to their bench players. Emma Cosh, Rudi Ellis, and Kim Jenner have spent most of their time on the bench, with limited opportunities to make an impact on the court. Ellis, in particular, with her height and potential, could attract interest from other teams in need of young, tall goalkeepers.

Overall, the West Coast Fever‘s victory over the Melbourne Vixens was a thrilling match that showcased the competitiveness of Super Netball. With the preliminary final and grand final still to come, fans can expect more exciting and closely contested games as the top teams vie for the championship title.