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The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Super Netball finals, West Coast Fever, Melbourne Vixens, New South Wales Swifts, Adelaide Thunderbirds
Two Super Netball finals down and just three teams remain in the title fight. Minor premiers West Coast Fever ramped up their title push, last year's runners-up Melbourne Vixens kept their fight for redemption alive, while the Adelaide Thunderbirds' three-peat dream is now over. Here are some of the talking points from the Super Netball semi-finals. FEVER PITCH Right now, it's the West Coast Fever's crown to lose. After sealing the minor premiership, the Fever produced a crushing semi-final performance against the New South Wales Swifts that not only underlined their title credentials, but put them in bright green neon lights. The Fever booked a ticket straight to the Super Netball grand final with a 32-point win in Perth against an opponent once heavily favoured to win this year's premiership. West Coast set up the win with one of the most dominant halves of netball seen all season, leaving the Swifts shell-shocked in a 26-9 charge. With winners across the court, the Fever's ball movement was slick and their transition play left the Swifts in their wake. So much focus is placed on the impact of star Jamaican goaler Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, who again dominated with another near flawless shooting performance, with the Fever not losing a match since she returned in round three. But the green machine's charge is being powered by some other stunning performances. Wing attack Alice Teague-Neeld continues to take her game to new heights as a Diamonds' debut beckons, while goal defence Sunday Aryang is in eye-catching form at the other end. The Fever boast impressive depth with Zoe Cransberg, Fran Williams and Olivia Wilkinson all impacting the game when they're injected onto the court. After finishing the season with back-to-back games at home, the Fever will have to triumph on the road when the grand final is held at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena in two weeks' time. But that hasn't bothered the Fever this season, winning both their matches in Melbourne against the Vixens (round three) and the Mavericks (round 10) this year. WHERE TO FOR THE SWIFTS? The Swifts get a second chance to keep their title fight alive in a preliminary final at home against the Melbourne Vixens this week, but they are going to need to quickly hit the reset button if they are to rebound from a bruising semi-final loss. After the big off-season signing of Silver Ferns star Grace Nweke and a blistering start to the season, the Swifts had quickly emerged as the hot favourites for the 2025 Super Netball premiership. The Swifts looked unbeatable as they won their opening eight matches of the season before eventually dropping their first game – against the Fever – in round nine. But the Swifts looked a mile off that early-season form as they were comprehensively beaten by the Fever across the court. The absence of key personnel didn't help the Swifts, missing captain Paige Hadley with a lower leg injury, while defender Teigan O'Shannassy has been sidelined with a back issue. Coach Briony Akle confirmed post-match Hadley would be back for the preliminary final, but there are other concerns for the Swifts, who have won only two of their last seven matches. It was a game to forget for Nweke, who gave away three early offensive penalties and was benched in the second quarter 'There is no doubt that she is going to go home and have a sleepless night tonight,' Stacey Francis-Bayman said on Pivot post-match. 'We did see her fully picked apart not just by her fully picked apart, not just by a Kadie-Ann Dehaney, who was fantastic against a tall shooter, but at times Fran Williams was out there as well. 'I think there was a mental battle that she lost today and not only did she lose it with her opponent, but I think she just lost it with herself. It didn't matter who she was coming up against. 'To give away nine errors individually is really uncharacteristic. The shooting was fine, but I just think there is a bit of work to do when under the pressure in a pressured environment … we didn't see her at her best.' The penalty count across the board for the Swifts was costly with 76 for the match, including 24 for goal keeper Sarah Klau. The Swifts will need to rein that in against the Vixens, who they have a 1-1 record against this season. KIPPA KEY How far the Vixens progress in this year's Super Netball finals series, one player in particular is certain to be pivotal. Cool-as-you-like goal attack Kiera Austin proved to be the difference-maker in the Vixens' semi-final and hoodoo-breaking win over the Thunderbirds in a match-winning performance that lifted the whole team. The Diamonds' goaler is a barometer for the Melbourne side, not just in attack, but for the entire group. More often than not, when she fires – the team gets up. And so it was against the Thunderbirds, who the Vixens had not beaten in five games, when she was 'on' from the opening whistle. An uber-calm Austin finished as the top-ranked player on the court by a country mile, nailing all five of her super shots to keep the Vixens' title-chase alive for another week. She also had 20 goal assists and 26 feeds in the win, ensuring her damaging combination with fellow Diamonds' goaler Sophie Garbin was on song. It's a rare day when an opponent has star Thunderbirds defender Latanya Wilson's measure, but it is fair to say Austin took the honours over the Jamaican ace. Austin can make the game look easy when she's firing and the composure -and confidence to go to the post for the long shot – that she showed against the Thunderbirds is going to be crucial for the Vixens if they are to progress to a second straight grand final. The Vixens have extra motivation for their finals run, not only to get the chance to go one better than last season, but to send outgoing coach Simone McKinnis out on a high. DIAMONDS OUTSIDER Melbourne Vixens defender Kate Eddy can consider herself unlucky not to have earned a place in Australian coach Stacey Marinkovich's Diamonds' squad. Described as a workhorse of the Vixens' defence, the underestimated wing defender again showed her importance to the Melbourne line-up in the semi-final against the Thunderbirds. Matching up on Thunderbirds playmaker Georgie Horjus at the start of the match, Eddy set the tone for the Vixens' defence early with two big intercepts in the opening quarter. Eddy took the honours against the dangerous Horjus before the pocket rocket was moved into goal attack late in the second quarter. Such was her impact against Horjus, Eddy followed her into the goal circle when she was moved into goal defence early in the second half. Eddy finished the match with three intercepts and three gains and it was only Horjus' super shots against her which blotted her stats sheet. At 28, Eddy is yet to get a Diamonds' call-up, but wouldn't be out of place in the squad with her height and long reach an asset outside of the circle. THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO. … NE The three-peat dream is over for the Adelaide Thunderbirds and now attention will turn to the future of one of the game's all-time goaling greats. Out of contract at the end of this season, will Romelda Aiken-George play on again in 2026? Turning 37 in November, Aiken-George has been a rock under the post for the T-Birds since being offered a career lifeline by the Adelaide team for season 2024. She helped steer the team to a second straight premiership last season and continues to be among Super Netball's most dominant shooters, sitting fourth in scoring at the end of the regular season. Aiken-George finished as the Thunderbirds' top-ranked player in their semi-final loss with 37 goals from 42 attempts when she took to the court again, as she has done throughout the season, with heavy strapping on her right knee. The Thunderbirds have 23-year-old goal shooter Lucy Austin, who has been starved of on-court opportunities this season, waiting in the wings and whatever happens with the tall Jamaican could also impact the emerging South Australian's next move. The Thunderbirds are already investing heavily in their future with midcourt young guns Sophie Casey and Kayla Graham backed in during the final quarter against the Vixens when the match was on the line. Netball Super Netball's eliminated teams must confront harsh truths about their failed campaigns. But there is a road back to the top. We assess what's next for the six teams to miss the grand final. Netball From big-name recruits and runaway premiership favourites at the start of the year to a crushing prelim-final defeat, things turned very ugly for the Swifts. So how did it all fall apart?
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Super Netball: Vixens' fourth-quarter miracle seals grand final spot
Melbourne Vixens are one win from sealing a fairytale finish to the career of coach Simone McKinnis after a 66-65 preliminary final win against the Swifts. The Swifts led 31-29 at halftime, before dominating the third quarter to open a 51-41 advantage. But the Vixens stormed back, outpointing their rivals 25-14 in the last to clinch victory and a spot in the grand final against West Coast Fever. Earlier this year, McKinnis announced this would be her final year in charge of the Super Netball team. - Jenny Sinclair Melbourne Vixens are riding high after a last ditch effort to beat the NSW Swifts by 66 to 65 points, to book their place in the 2025 Super Netball grand final. They came from behind in the dying seconds of the game, and will go into next week's match full of confidence having won eight of their last ten games. The Vixens are off to the grand final after an incredible fourth-quarter fightback. Picture: Getty Images Standing in their way however, will be the formidable West Coast Fever, who demolished the Swifts by 32 points in last weekend's major semi-final. 'I'm exhausted but I'm so bloody proud,' said Vixens captain Kate Moloney. 'We were down by ten goals and we found something in that last quarter and they just never stopped fighting.' Coaching her second last match with the Vixens, Simone McKinnis said her side took their shot at victory. 'We weren't going to walk away from here afraid to take risks,' she said. 'They saw a glimpse and a hope and away they went.' Melbourne Vixens head coach Simone McKinnis. Picture: Getty Images It was a dismal end to the season for Swifts, despite the return of inspirational captain Paige Hadley who has missed the last two rounds with a foot injury. While she provided a calm head and safe pair of hands, the Swifts have been bundled out of the finals in straight sets, after looking untouchable as they went undefeated through the first eight rounds. There was immense pressure from the opening whistle, causing fumbles, stray passes and uncharacteristic missed shots. The Swifts were first to take advantage of those errors, going long and high to Grace Nweke in the circle. Despite her athleticism, some balls were sprayed over her head or swatted away by goal keeper Rudi Ellis who finished with six gains, allowing the Vixens to shift gears and take a three point lead into the first break. Helen Housby celebrates a goal for the Swifts. Picture: Getty Images The Swifts hit the front in the second quarter as their confidence grew, with Helen Housby raising the bar after a quiet few weeks. Passes started going in more smoothly to the circle, with Nweke lifting her shooting from a subpar 77 percent in the first quarter to a total of 53/58 at 91 percent across the match. With the Swifts' Sharni Lambden applying enormous pressure at wing defence, Vixens' skipper Moloney did everything she could to pull her side over the line. She had a strong connection with Sophie Garbin under the post, who picked up the slack while the hero of so many victories, Kiera Austin, struggled for influence early on. The Vixens seemed down and out of the contest with the deficit sitting at 11 points and their penalties twice their opponents, until Lily Graham sank consecutive supershots to bring the margin back to single digits. Grace Nweke in action for the Swifts. Picture: Getty Images In an inspirational last quarter Austin finally switched on her radar when it counted, firing in three long range shots to finish with 12/16 including four from five supershots, while her partner Garbin had a solid 46/47. The Vixens found another gear and rolled over the Swifts in highly emotional scenes. MCKINNIS MAGIC Simone McKinnis will make her final appearance as Vixens' coach in next weekend's grand final, after 212 games in charge of the club. Across 13 years, she's taken them to two titles, three minor premierships and a further three grand final appearances, and will leave massive shoes to fill. PAIN FOLLOWS A POINT Remarkably, the previous three Super Netball preliminary finals have been decided by a solitary point, with the Vixens taking out two of those wins, and the Swifts the other. Despite moving on into the grand final, neither side was then able to steal the ultimate victory.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Super Netball grand final: West Coast Fever star Fran Williams opens up on rivalry with Melbourne Vixens
West Coast Fever star Fran Williams has opened up on the deep-seated rivalry between her club and Melbourne Vixens before the two powerhouses meet in another Super Netball grand final. Fever players were put through a no-holds barred training session at the Gold Netball Centre on Monday, five days out from their tilt at a second premiership in club history. Williams said it has them primed for Saturday's decider, which will be played in front of a hostile Melbourne crowd. That brutal session came after another intense hit-out in a practice match against the club's male training partners on Saturday, which was part of a ploy to keep their routine the same, even though they had earned preliminary final weekend off. Williams — the England national team captain who joined the club before last season — said the rivalry between the two sides was instilled in players as soon as they arrived at Fever. '(There was an) extra spring in the step for grand final week,' she said. 'Everyone looked extra fierce and feisty and up for the challenge out there today, so it's great. 'We're going in all-guns-blazing. There's a real rivalry, I noticed that when I arrived at Fever, between Vixens and Fever and I think it's because they have had so many tightly-contested finals matches in the past and you kind of inherit that rivalry when you come and join the side. 'One thing we pride ourselves on is that our training environment is as tough as its going to get for us. It's something we know we can do to each other because we have got that connection and trust and comfortable relationships. 'We can challenge and push each other and we know we are doing it to bring out the best in each other.' The Vixens' heart-stopping one-goal victory over NSW Swifts on Sunday afternoon in Sydney meant they earn home-court advantage for the clash, which will be the first netball match ever held at Rod Laver Arena. More than 10,000 fans are expected to pack the venue, including a fleet of Fever fans making the trip across. Since the Super Netball grand final has been put out to tender before each season, the Fever in 2022 and Adelaide last year have fortuitously held home-court advantage. Both teams won, but the Fever are out to buck the trend they started. 'I think just embracing it. How cool for netball that we are getting to play at an iconic sporting venue like Rod Laver and yes it's in Melbourne, but we know that the Green Army will be there supporting there in person... but also at home and getting behind us, you do feel the love,' Williams said. 'Sometimes when you go away our Fever bubble stays really strong and you lean in on each other even more.'
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Super Netball stunner as emotional speech sparks all-time Vixens comeback
Melbourne Vixens are riding high after a last ditch effort to beat the NSW Swifts by 66 to 65 points, to book their place in the 2025 Super Netball grand final. They came from behind in the dying seconds of the game, having trailed 51-41 after the third quarter, and will go into next week's match full of confidence having won eight of their last ten games. Watch every game of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season, LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Standing in their way however, will be the formidable West Coast Fever, who demolished the Swifts by 32 points in last weekend's major semi-final. Speaking post match captain and MVP Kate Moloney said, 'I'm exhausted but I'm so bloody proud. We were down by ten goals and we found something in that last quarter and they just never stopped fighting.' Coaching her second last match with the Vixens, Simone McKinnis, added, 'We weren't going to walk away from here afraid to take risks. They saw a glimpse and a hope and away they went.' It was the greatest preliminary final comeback in Super Netball history, beating the nine-goal market the Vixens set in 2022 against the Giants. It was a dismal end to the season for Swifts, despite the return of inspirational captain Paige Hadley who has missed the last two rounds with a foot injury. While she provided a calm head and safe pair of hands, the Swifts have been bundled out of the finals in straight sets, after looking untouchable as they went undefeated through the first eight rounds. There was immense pressure from the opening whistle, causing fumbles, stray passes and uncharacteristic missed shots. The Swifts were first to take advantage of those errors, going long and high to Grace Nweke in the circle. Despite her athleticism, some balls were sprayed over her head or swatted away by goal keeper Rudi Ellis who finished with six gains, allowing the Vixens to shift gears and take a three point lead into the first break. The Swifts hit the front in the second quarter as their confidence grew, with Helen Housby raising the bar after a quiet few weeks. Passes started going in more smoothly to the circle, with Nweke lifting her shooting from a subpar 77 percent in the first quarter to a total of 53/58 at 91 percent across the match. With the Swifts' Sharni Lambden applying enormous pressure at wing defence, Vixens' skipper Moloney did everything she could to pull her side over the line. She had a strong connection with Sophie Garbin under the post, who picked up the slack while the hero of so many victories, Kiera Austin, struggled for influence early on. The Vixens seemed down and out of the contest with the deficit sitting at 11 points and their penalties twice their opponents, until Lily Graham sank consecutive supershots to bring the margin back to single digits. In an inspirational last quarter Austin finally switched on her radar when it counted, firing in three long range shots to finish with 12/16 including four from five supershots, while her partner Garbin had a solid 46/47. The Vixens found another gear and rolled over the Swifts in highly emotional scenes. MCKINNIS MAGIC Simone McKinnis will make her final appearance as Vixens' coach in next weekend's grand final, after 212 games in charge of the club. Across 13 years, she's taken them to two titles, three minor premierships and a further three grand final appearances, and will leave massive shoes to fill. It looked like it was going to be McKinnis' final game in charge at the end of the third quarter but an inspiration and emotional final address helped inspire the Vixens to life. 'We have nothing to lose here! Except for throwing our best selves as this contest,' McKinnis said. Remarkably, the previous three Super Netball preliminary finals have been decided by a solitary point, with the Vixens taking out two of those wins, and the Swifts the other. Despite moving on into the grand final, neither side was then able to steal the ultimate victory.
Daily Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Melbourne Vixens stun NSW Swifts in preliminary final comeback, grand final vs West Coast Fever
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News. Melbourne Vixens are riding high after a last ditch effort to beat the NSW Swifts by 66 to 65 points, to book their place in the 2025 Super Netball grand final. They came from behind in the dying seconds of the game, having trailed 51-41 after the third quarter, and will go into next week's match full of confidence having won eight of their last ten games. Watch every game of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season, LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Standing in their way however, will be the formidable West Coast Fever, who demolished the Swifts by 32 points in last weekend's major semi-final. Speaking post match captain and MVP Kate Moloney said, 'I'm exhausted but I'm so bloody proud. We were down by ten goals and we found something in that last quarter and they just never stopped fighting.' Coaching her second last match with the Vixens, Simone McKinnis, added, 'We weren't going to walk away from here afraid to take risks. They saw a glimpse and a hope and away they went.' It was the greatest preliminary final comeback in Super Netball history, beating the nine-goal market the Vixens set in 2022 against the Giants. It was a dismal end to the season for Swifts, despite the return of inspirational captain Paige Hadley who has missed the last two rounds with a foot injury. While she provided a calm head and safe pair of hands, the Swifts have been bundled out of the finals in straight sets, after looking untouchable as they went undefeated through the first eight rounds. Melbourne Vixens players celebrate. (Photo by) Simone McKinnis inspired her players. (Photo by) There was immense pressure from the opening whistle, causing fumbles, stray passes and uncharacteristic missed shots. The Swifts were first to take advantage of those errors, going long and high to Grace Nweke in the circle. Despite her athleticism, some balls were sprayed over her head or swatted away by goal keeper Rudi Ellis who finished with six gains, allowing the Vixens to shift gears and take a three point lead into the first break. The Swifts hit the front in the second quarter as their confidence grew, with Helen Housby raising the bar after a quiet few weeks. Passes started going in more smoothly to the circle, with Nweke lifting her shooting from a subpar 77 percent in the first quarter to a total of 53/58 at 91 percent across the match. With the Swifts' Sharni Lambden applying enormous pressure at wing defence, Vixens' skipper Moloney did everything she could to pull her side over the line. She had a strong connection with Sophie Garbin under the post, who picked up the slack while the hero of so many victories, Kiera Austin, struggled for influence early on. The Swifts couldn't believe it. (Photo by Mark) The Vixens seemed down and out of the contest with the deficit sitting at 11 points and their penalties twice their opponents, until Lily Graham sank consecutive supershots to bring the margin back to single digits. In an inspirational last quarter Austin finally switched on her radar when it counted, firing in three long range shots to finish with 12/16 including four from five supershots, while her partner Garbin had a solid 46/47. The Vixens found another gear and rolled over the Swifts in highly emotional scenes. MCKINNIS MAGIC Simone McKinnis will make her final appearance as Vixens' coach in next weekend's grand final, after 212 games in charge of the club. Across 13 years, she's taken them to two titles, three minor premierships and a further three grand final appearances, and will leave massive shoes to fill. It looked like it was going to be McKinnis' final game in charge at the end of the third quarter but an inspiration and emotional final address helped inspire the Vixens to life. 'We have nothing to lose here! Except for throwing our best selves as this contest,' McKinnis said. PAIN FOLLOWS A POINT Remarkably, the previous three Super Netball preliminary finals have been decided by a solitary point, with the Vixens taking out two of those wins, and the Swifts the other. Despite moving on into the grand final, neither side was then able to steal the ultimate victory. Originally published as Super Netball stunner as emotional speech sparks all-time Vixens comeback
