GF Preview: Rivals reignite

By Stephanie Smarrelli 
 

It doesn’t get bigger than this. 

Two fierce rivals, one coveted title.  

Fever vs Vixens. 

They’re no strangers to meeting on SSN’s biggest day. 

With one SSN title each (won against each other), they’re both aiming to add to their trophy cabinet this weekend.  

Fever won most recently in WA in 2022 with the support of their green army behind them while the Vixens did it in 2020 away from home in Queensland’s Covid-19 hub.   

As minor premiers, Fever will go into the match as clear favourites but don’t underestimate the power of the Vixens. 

They may have just scrapped into finals but their never say die attitude has carried them over the line when it mattered most. 

Fever have not felt the true intensity of a nail-biting clash since Round 4.When the pressure is on can they remain clinical?  

The Vixens are fighting for a fairytale finish to their season in front of a Melbourne crowd, a win to send off outgoing head coach Simone McKinnis and redemption for last year’s Grand Final heartbreak. 

While Fever are out to spoil the party and create a fairytale of their own.  
 
They started the season 0-2 and haven’t looked back, smashing the record for the most consecutive wins which is still intact heading into the big dance. 

This match is only going to play out a couple of ways. 

One team comes out firing like Fever did in the Major Semi Final and buries their opposition from the get-go or it is an absolute goal for goal grind until the final whistle with the winner the one able to withstand the heat.  

It will be won and lost in the individual battles on the court. 

Vixens captain Kate Moloney will throw her everything into this clash, she’s the first to every loose ball and won’t back down from a physical contest but expect Fever’s Jordan Cransberg to do the same. 

A former Vixens training partner, Cransberg knows how the Vixens work, and she’ll use her knowledge to her advantage this weekend as she aims to cap off a stellar season with a premiership medal.  

Similarly, Vixen Rudi Ellis knows she has no easy job against former teammate Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard. 

She won’t win most the of aerial balls she contests but the work she does out front to confuse the space and put doubt into the minds of the feeders will be crucial. 

Fever’s Alice Teague Neeld has dominated the goal assist stat this season and it’s an area she’ll need to rule again on Saturday night.  

With the Vixens known for their suffocating hands over pressure, she’ll be under the pump to get free from Kate Eddy to provide a safe pass into the goal circle.  

The Vixens attack end will also be key. 

The connection between Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin was prolific against the Swifts in the Preliminary Final. 

But the last time they met Fever, the defenders from the west got the better of them. 

Sunday Aryang had a field day with six gains while Fran Williams collected three alongside her. 

Notably Austin did collect four gains of her own, but she also had four general play turnovers which makes a difference in big games.  

The Vixens had 21 general play turnovers in total in Round 14 against Fever and only six gains compared to the minor premier’s 16 general play turnovers and 15 gains.  

While the battles on the court will be epic so will the tactical game of chess between Dan Ryan and Simone McKinnis. 

Both coaches aren’t afraid to call in big changes when required, bringing their bench players onto the court and trusting they’ll get the job done. 

The timing of changes will be critical this weekend with players stepping onto the court able to have a big impact but also needing time to settle any nerves. 

Fever head coach Dan Ryan believes his side won't get caught up in the occasion and haven't gotten too ahead of themselves despite a record-breaking win streak.

"We're pretty tough in our environment," Ryan said.

"No one has a chance to to get too far ahead of themselves ever and our competitiveness within our playing group has kept everyone really honest and accountable the whole season and that doesn't change.

"Whilst we come into the Grand Final in really good form, it is about showing up and performing on the day."

While Vixens head coach Simone McKinnis acknowledged it's going to take a full team effort to defeat Fever.

"We have to be at our absolute best individually and collectively, as a team," McKinnis said.

"Anything bar that is not going to cut it, we have to have clarity and intention about what we're doing out there.

"We have to put them under as much pressure as we can and we have to go for it in attack and back ourselves in attack.

"It's really important we recognise our strengths as a team, what's got us here and our our connection and drive as a team is really important."

Two teams will step onto the court Grand Final Day but only one will leave it as champions.  
 
All eyes will be on Rod Laver Arena Saturday night, don’t miss a second of the action, tune in live on Kayo Sports, Foxtel and Binge at 7.30PM AEST.