The Melbourne Vixens are into their sixth Super Netball grand final after surviving a massive late rally to beat West Coast Fever 73-72 in a thrilling preliminary final at a sold-out John Cain Arena.
After trailing narrowly at halftime on Saturday, the Vixens took control in the third term before motoring clear 72-60 with four minutes to play.
Seemingly down and out, the Fever went on a 10-0 spree, riding a super-shot barrage to close to within two inside the last minute.
Sophie Garbin’s goal in the final 30 seconds ended the Vixens’ scoreless rut and forged an unassailable three-goal lead, with the clock against the visitors.
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard’s third two-pointer of the quarter with 12 seconds left trimmed the margin to one goal, but the Vixens had the next centre-pass and played keepings-off until the fulltime siren.
Melbourne will confront reigning premiers Adelaide Thunderbirds in next Saturday’s grand final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre
The Vixens’ 20-14 third quarter proved pivotal, the home side’s shooting pair Kiera Austin and Garbin shooting at 100 per cent for the term.
“I think we were lucky to hold onto it in the end,” said Austin, who finished with 29 goals, 19 assists.
“It’s not how we wanted to finish the game but the grit and determination the girls showed today, that’s finals netball.
“After a game like we had against the Thunderbirds (25-goal semi-final loss), that was a massive opportunity to waste and probably embarrassing for us to play a game like that.
“We’re pretty proud to go out there and have a performance like we did today.”
With Alice Teague-Neeld and captain Jess Antiss prominent through the middle, West Coast stormed out of the blocks, moving ahead 3-0 and 10-5, before the Vixens rallied late in the term with a succession of two-pointers.
Austin’s deuce on the quarter-time buzzer trimmed the Fever’s advantage to 19-18.
The margin remained one goal at halftime after neither side could forge clear in the second period.
Still, West Coast looked marginally the stronger side and moved ahead 49-46 before the Vixens emphatically seized the initiative.
The injection of Emily Mannix into Melbourne’s defence changed the complexion of the match and the Fever’s frontcourt suddenly became turnover-riddled.
The Vixens outscored the Fever 14-3 either side of three-quarter time and a blowout loomed before West Coast’s brave rearguard created a late scare.
Source Agencies
