Can the Vixens silence the fortress?

By Stephanie Smarrelli

Last year’s Grand Finalists are on a collision course, and it all comes to a head this weekend.

It’s a clash built on rivalry and statement-making intent. 

Expect fireworks from the first whistle to the final second.

The Vixens have stormed out of the gates undefeated, their relentless, never-say-die attitude setting the tone from the opening round.

But Fever have dropped just one match and this weekend, they’ll be fuelled by a roaring home crowd and a burning hunger for redemption.

After setting a league record for the most consecutive wins in 2025, they fell heartbreakingly shy of premiership glory.

Now, they’re mounting a strong campaign to feature in finals again and what better way to build form than a win against the reigning champs?

The Vixens will back their brand of netball to stand up under pressure but there’s one looming factor they can’t ignore.

RAC Arena.
 

Fever’s fortress has been virtually impenetrable in recent years.

The home side hasn’t lost there since Round 1, 2025, when the Swifts stunned them in the absence of Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.

But who was the only team to beat them at home the season prior?

The Vixens.

Toppling the fortress to stay undefeated won’t be easy but the Vixens are primed to strike.

Defensive pressure proved the difference in last year’s Grand Final, it’s an area where the Vixens thrive, hands hunting every pass, pressure suffocating every option. 

Fever boast a strong defensive unit of their own, but at times lack that relentless, full-court squeeze though they showcased it brilliantly against the Mavericks last week.

Criticised for faltering under pressure in last year’s decider, expect Fever to flip the script and bring that heat to their opponents this time around. 

Fran Williams was electric in Round 6, racking up 11 gains, five deflections, five intercepts, and just five penalties.

But she’ll go head-to-head with Vixen Kiera Austin, who drained four Suncorp Super Shots last week to pile on scoreboard pressure.

Kate Eddy shapes as another crucial piece of the puzzle.

Head coach Di Honey experimented with her versatility against the Thunderbirds and reaped the rewards with Eddy named as the player of the match in Round 6.

This weekend, her assignment isn’t locked in, she could line up against Fever’s Alice Teague-Neeld, if the midcourter returns from back soreness.

Teague-Neeld has carried strong form into the new season but remains no certainty to take the court.

Eddy could also find herself matched up on Sasha Glasgow, who alongside the Cransberg sisters continues to drive Fever’s attacking flow with precision.

Glasgow’s work rate in the goal circle is not only a threat during the Power Five but throughout the match as she’s critical to drawing away defenders from goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George.

If Eddy doesn’t get the job, Jo Weston likely will.

Weston is another Vixen in potent form; her long reach and impeccable decision-making is set to make life tough for Fever this weekend. 

But even if Glasgow is contained, the challenge doesn’t end there.
 

Aiken-George still looms large.

The veteran goaler is closing in on the all-time national league game record and continues to dominate under the post. She leads the league with 286 goals scoring an average of 48 per game.

As the season approaches the halfway mark, the question is simple; will the Vixens run remain unblemished or will Fever be the side to finally topple the leader leaders?

REST OF THE ROUND

NSW will be split down the middle this weekend as the Swifts host the winless GIANTS. The league’s cellar dwellers are desperate to find their spark so expect plenty of fire.

Then the Lightning chase back-to-back wins as they head to Adelaide, but the Thunderbirds will be out to respond after a disappointing finish last week. 

With a home crowd behind them, they’ll be firing on all cylinders aiming to keep Lightning at bay.

While Sunday shapes as a potential turning point for the Firebirds and Mavericks.

Both sides have won just two games but have shown flashes that prove they could be serious contenders down the track.

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