Vixens surge against Fever

By Stephanie Smarrelli

The Vixens have booked themselves a date with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in next week's Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.

The Vixens will go head-to-head with the reigning premiers for premiership glory after defeating the West Coast Fever by one-goal in the Preliminary Final.

Fever drew first blood against the Melbourne Vixens with Kadie-Ann Dehaney getting her hands onto the ball early. 

The Fever defensive pressure suffocated the Vixens attack with Fever establishing a five-goal lead before the home side were able to settle their nerves.

Rudi Ellis ignited the crowd, using her outside arm to get around Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard but the Vixens were unable to capitalise before the Power Five.

The Vixens had no need to worry though with sharp shooter Kiera Austin slotting Super Shot after Super Shot to narrow the margin back to one by the end of the first quarter.

Goal-for-goal throughout the start of the second quarter neither side gave the other an inch.

Fever playmaker Jess Anstiss had the ball on a string through the midcourt, finding her teammates with ease.

While Fowler-Nembhard continued to dominate the goal circle for the green machine.

Neck-and-neck a Kate Eddy intercept was promptly rewarded by Austin and Sophie Garbin to push the Vixens ahead during the Power Five.

Despite the Vixens' surge Fever were composed enough to steal the lead back ahead of halftime.  

Fever upped the ante again to start the third term, staying on their tippy toes in defence they blocked every lead forcing the Vixens to take their time in attack. The mounting pressure eventually paid off with the Fever defence working together to intercept the ball and extend their lead to two. 

With the scoreboard getting away from them Vixens head coach Simone McKinnis pulled the trigger to bring on Emily Mannix. The defender having immediate impact giving the Vixens a spark in defence which allowed them to draw level once again. 

The spark from defence translated down the court with Austin putting the home side ahead as errors began to creep into Fever’s game. 

Five goals up at the end of the third quarter, the Vixens took momentum with them into the final term.

The Vixens powered during the fourth quarter to push their lead out once again with midcourt duo Kate Moloney and Hannah Mundy punching through the midcourt to keep Fever at bay.

Eddy continued to prove the importance of a good wing defence, applying pressure and stealing the ball left, right and centre.

Fever tried everything they could to nullify the Vixens with Fowler-Nembhard and Alice Teague-Neeld draining Super Shots in the dying minutes but the home team were unstoppable as they booked their ticket to Adelaide.