By Matt Fotia
There's life in the Lightning.
Their spinetingling one-goal win against the Swifts has thrust them right back into the finals mix and has set-up a quasi-elimination final this weekend against the Thunderbirds.
Meanwhile, the Fever snapped up the Minor Premiership and the Vixens are finals bound once again.
Get your head around all the permutations and complications of the final round with the The Run Home below.
West Coast Fever (44 points, 110.3%)
Current ladder position: 1st
Round 13 HCF Team Health Score: 233
To come:
Melbourne Vixens (Home)
Eleven wins on the spin for the Fever who look like the shortest priced premiership favourites in sporting history.
They will host the Major Semi Final regardless of what happens this weekend but will be eager to keep their record-breaking winning streak alive.
Plenty to smile about out west.NSW Swifts (36 points, 107.5%)
Current ladder position: 2nd
Round 13 HCF Team Health Score: 177
To come:
Queensland Firebirds (Away)
Like the Fever, the Swifts position is locked thanks entirely to their early season dominance, given it is inconceivable the Vixens can haul in their sizeable percentage gap.
A trip to Perth awaits.
Melbourne Vixens (32 points, 101.5%)
Current ladder position: 3rd
Round 13 HCF Team Health Score: 174
To come:
West Coast Fever (Away)
The Vixens did just about enough on Sunday against a spirited Firebirds outfit, locking away their finals spot in the process.
The Vixens poor percentage makes their equation simple this weekend.
Win and they’ll host the Minor Semi Final.
Lose and they’ll be on the road once again.
Tarntanya Karntu (28 points, 105.2%)
Current ladder position: 4th
Round 13 HCF Team Health Score: 224
To come:
Sunshine Coast Lightning (Home)
Their coach wasn’t always happy, but the Karntu got the job done on Saturday night, shutting out an in-form Melbourne Mavericks side to keep themselves in the top four and set up a straight shootout for third place with the Lightning this weekend.
Winner gets a home final. Loser says goodnight.
Tarntanya Karntu are well placed to host a final.Sunshine Coast Lightning (28 points, 102.3%)
Current ladder position: 5th
Round 13 HCF Team Health Score: 197
To come:
Tarntanya Karntu (Away)
The Lightning’s big win on Saturday meant a lot of things, but most importantly it meant their season stayed alive.
Incredibly, despite their mid-season wobbles, the Lightning can host the Minor Semi Final if they win against their win-or-go-home encounter with Karntu this weekend.
Cara Koenen was a welcome returnee for the Lightning on Saturday.Melbourne Mavericks (16 points, 94.8%)
Current ladder position: 6th
Round 13 HCF Team Health Score: 160
To come:
GIANTS (Away)
Came back to Earth on Saturday despite a late flurry from crowd favourite Uneeq Palavi.
Have their own play-off this weekend, taking on the GIANTS at Ken Rosewall Arena for the illustrious sixth place trophy.
GIANTS (16 points, 90.8%)
Current ladder position: 7th
Round 13 HCF Team Health Score: 135
To come:
Melbourne Mavericks (Home)
Host the Mavericks on Saturday afternoon, to fight it out for sixth place on the ladder.
GIANTS will have more to play for of course as they look to send off club champion Jo Harten with a win in her final game.
Queensland Firebirds (8 points, 89.6%)
Current ladder position: 8th
Round 13 HCF Team Health Score: 175
To come:
NSW Swifts (Home)
Finish their season by hosting their oldest rivals, with both teams desperate to break a run of poor form.
Pride on the line.
Predicted Ladder
1. West Coast Fever – 48 points, 110.1%
2. NSW Swifts – 40 points, 108.1%
3. Tarntanya Karntu – 32 points, 105.5%
4. Melbourne Vixens – 32 points, 100.8%
5. Sunshine Coast Lightning – 28 points, 101.6%
6. GIANTS – 20 points, 91.9%
7. Melbourne Mavericks – 16 points, 89.7%
8. Queensland Firebirds – 8 points, 89.3%
Predicted first week of finals.
Major Semi Final
West Coast Fever v NSW Swifts
Minor Semi Final
Tarntanya Karntu v Melbourne Vixens
To get your own HCF Team Health Score™ and for the chance to win a SSN Grand Final Experience and more* play the HCF Team Health Score game now.
Disclaimer: * Competition closes 11.59pm 13 July 2025 AEST. Full T&Cs visit hcf.com.au/netball. Authorised under SA Permit T25/490 and ACT Permit TP 25/00643
