

Fight for survival
Last year’s grand finalists have taken completely different paths in 2025. Only one is a sure bet for finals while the other is in danger of missing out entirely.

Last year’s grand finalists have taken completely different paths in 2025. Only one is a sure bet for finals while the other is in danger of missing out entirely.
By Stephanie Smarrelli
Just three rounds remain.
Finals are around the corner with last weekend producing epic clashes across the board.
As the end nears, it’s strange to say that the competition is just getting started,
The fight for top spot continues between the season’s juggernauts while the rest of the finals’ equation continues to chop and change.
One team is at danger of dropping out of the pack and for another it’s now or never.
Round 1.
That’s the last time last year's grand finalists went head-to-head.
And so much has changed since then.

The TBirds started 2025 looking like a threepeat was well within reach, but the dream is slipping away.
Now with three games left, the back-to-back premiers are in unfamiliar territory fighting for survival.
While last year’s runners up had a slow start, they’ve hit their stride and haven’t lost a match since Round 6.
The Champion Data ladder simulator is predicting the Vixens will hold their place in the top but all hope is not lost for the TBirds.
The Vixens were firing on all cylinders last weekend against Lightning and will come into the match energised and focused on the task at hand.
While the Thunderbirds lost to Fever, it was a thrilling contest and if there’s one thing this side knows how to do, it’s defeat the Vixens.
But there’s a catch.
They’ve never defeated the Vixens in Melbourne during the SSN era.

But with their backs against the wall, expect the Thunderbirds to come out swinging.
Their defence knows how to win ball back; we’ve seen it time and time again.
Latanya Wilson leads the league for intercepts and is a force to be reckoned with aided by Origin Diamond Matilda Garrett and South African Sanmarie Visser.
But they’ll need support from the rest of their teammates to seal victory.
In attack the TBirds have relied heavily on Lauren Frew who slotted seven Suncorp Super Shots last weekend and will be a key cog alongside teammate Georgie Horjus.
Tasked with halting them in their tracks will be Vixens trio Jo Weston, Rudi Ellis and Kate Eddy.
They've been relentless all season, they’re not flashy, but they shut down space, apply constant pressure, and force teams into errors.
The Thunderbirds will feel that heat this weekend.

With finals looming, it’s the teams that handle pressure and deliver in clutch moments who will survive.
And this match will say a lot about which of these two is ready to challenge for the trophy.
REST OF THE WEEKEND
Fever are chasing a 10th win in a row this weekend which will equal the record for the most consecutive SSN wins.
But Lightning will need to spoil their party or risk falling out of finals contention.
Then the Mavericks take on the Swifts.

The Swifts have kept their spot on top, but the Mavs came close to defeating them last time they met and will back themselves to go one better this weekend.
To end the round, it's the Firebirds and GIANTS going head-to-head.
Last time they met the Firebirds walked away with the win, but the GIANTS have been the stronger of the two since then.
On their worst losing streak in SSN history, the pressure will be on the Firebirds to snap it and push the GIANTS back down the ladder.
