By Sophie Taylor & Stephanie Smarrelli
The 2025 SSN Grand Final is locked in, and the West Coast Fever and Melbourne Vixens are getting ready for an enormous match on Saturday night.
We run you through our top talking points from the Preliminary Final.
FIFTEEN MINUTE MATCH-WINNER
Two weeks in a row, the Swifts have come undone in just 15 minutes of action.
Last week, it was the Fever’s blistering 26-9 effort.
This week? 25-14.
Simone McKinnis’ charges left everything on the court after an impassioned three-quarter time huddle from their outgoing coach.
Then captain Kate Moloney led the charge on court as only she can, propelling the Vixens forward and scrapping for the ball at every turn.
The Swifts had only five unforced turnovers for the match. THREE occurred in the final quarter.
That’s how much the pressure lifted for the last 15 minutes on court.
It would be remiss to not mention the composure the Vixens showed in the dying minutes too.
They maintained possession for a whopping 73 seconds before going to post, leaving just seven seconds on the clock for the Swifts to try and draw level.
There was no room for error, and the clinical Vixens got the job done.
SWIFTS’ FALL FROM GRACE
The Swifts’ last attempt on goal is very reminiscent of their second half of the season.
Eight wins in a row to start the season? Talk about a run of form.
But a loss to the Fever in Round 9 inadvertently spelled the beginning of the end.
From then on, they won just two from six matches to end the season on a challenging note.
Fever’s record-breaking 45-77 victory in the Semi Final certainly didn’t bode well for the Swifts’ confidence heading into the Preliminary Final.
But a home crowd and the return of Paige Hadley evened the ledger once more…
Until it didn’t.
The Swifts controlled the controllables. Very well.
Grace Whyte’s fearlessness and Grace Nweke’s consistency shone bright, while Sharni Lambden, Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau stifled the Vixens’ attacking flow at every opportunity.
The Swifts registered less general play turnovers (13-15) and penalties (40-64) and set themselves up for a strong finish with a handy 10-goal lead at the final change.
But what they couldn’t control?
The Vixens’ never-say-die attitude.
Well-drilled and with nothing to lose, nothing could stop the Vixens on a rampage.
FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THE SSN ERA…
Fever versus Vixens.
There’s some serious history there.
2020 was the year of the Covid-19 hub, when the Vixens beat the Fever in an instant classic.
Mwai Kumwenda was in flying form, and club legends Tegan Philip and Caitlin Thwaites retired with a medal around their necks.
2022 was the one that broke the longest drought in national netball history: Fever at home, winning their maiden Grand Final in extraordinary circumstances.
Sasha Glasgow stole the show alongside Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard as Courtney Bruce threatened in defence.
These two sides have gone head-to-head twice this season, and it was the Fever taking the four points on both occasions.
Their Round 3 clash welcomed the return of Fowler-Nembhard and began the Fever’s winning streak – still going strong at 13 matches (an SSN record).
Both matches were won by double digit margins, though the Vixens will be feeling confident after two one-goal wins in a row.
Factor in the Grand Final location is Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, and the Vixens’ underdog position will be feeling pretty good right now.
History will repeat itself on the weekend.
But which club will put a second SSN title to their name?
Only time will tell.
