Fever run hot to down the Vixens and book preliminary final spot
West Coast Fever have kept their hopes of being back-to-back champions alive after defeating the Melbourne Vixens by seven goals in a do-or-die minor semi-final at RAC Arena in Perth to book their spot in the preliminary final.
The rivalry between the two sides is fierce. They have met twice in grand finals – in 2020 and 2022 – and each has come away with one premiership win.
Now another chapter has been written, with the Fever sending the Vixens packing 64-57 as they advanced to next Saturday’s final.
Alice Teague-Neeld and Sunday Aryang celebrate as West Coast Fever booked their spot in a preliminary final against NSW Swifts.Credit: Getty Images
Melbourne chased the reigning premiers for four quarters, hoping to turn the tables of last year’s grand final loss, but were unable to take more than a one goal lead and ultimately were outclassed in the dying minutes of the game.
“In the end the Fever just lifted another gear and that showed on the scoreboard,” Vixens star Kiera Austin told Fox post-game.
“I think we’ve had a really great season, probably a bit topsy-turvy … But I think the best thing that has come out of this season is to see so many other talents come on the court.”
Neither side gave an inch. In contrast to Saturday’s major semi-final between NSW Swifts and the Adelaide Thunderbirds, which saw finals’ jitters give way to errors and ill-discipline, Sunday’s minor semi-final was clinical, composed, almost textbook netball from both teams.
West Coast won the first and second quarters by just one goal and the scores levelled throughout the second and third quarters. The Fever claimed their second-biggest lead of the game with just over a minute left in the third quarter at six goals, but the Vixens’ Austin closed the gap back down to four with a super shot.
It set the stage for what transpired to be a tense and tight final quarter. Well, until the final two minutes when Fever defender and captain Courtney Bruce flung the ball away from the Vixens’ attacking circle, resulting in a goal and centre pass, which gave them the momentum to storm home.
Down the other end, it was Fever’s Jhaniele Fowler at the post who was steely and reliable and kept her side an inch ahead all afternoon. She told Fox post-game she made sure she had the mental strength and physical ability to withstand anything that came her way.
Bruce also did a great job on Vixens star shooter Mwai Kumwenda throughout the match and in the final quarter worked on shutting down Austin, who threatened to steal the game with super shots.
Melbourne Vixens’ season is over.Credit: Getty Images
Another intriguing match-up unfolded between Vixens co-captain Kate Moloney and Fever’s Verity Simmons in the mid-court, each wearing the other like a bib.
It was bad news for the Vixens early on as star defender Jo Weston went down in the late stages of the opening quarter with a rolled ankle. Weston went straight to the clubrooms and after having her ankle strapped, watched on for the second quarter on the exercise bike on the sidelines.
However, in her absence, Emily Mannix and Olivia Lewis did a great job in the circle, particularly with the hard task of containing the Fever’s super shooter Fowler. Weston then came back and replaced Mannix for a stint – who copped a ball to the nose early in the third quarter – but limped off and remained on the bench for the final quarter.
West Coast will travel to Sydney next weekend to face NSW Swifts in a preliminary final to decide who goes through to the grand final to face the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
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