Grand Final Match Preview | Fever vs Vixens

THE MATCH
West Coast Fever vs Melbourne Vixens
Saturday 2 August, 7.30pm AEST
Rod Laver Arena | Wurundjeri Country

THE TEAM
Kiera Austin (VC)
Maggie Caris
Kate Eddy
Rudi Ellis
Sophie Garbin
Lily Graham
Kate Moloney (C)
Hannah Mundy
Zara Walters
Jo Weston

HOW TO WATCH
Can’t make it to the game? Tune in live or on demand on Kayo Sports, Foxtel or BINGE (Australia), or via Netball Pass (international).

LAST TIME THEY MET
Round 14, 2025
Fever (71) defeated Vixens (60) at RAC Arena

WHAT TO EXPECT
After pulling off an exceptional last quarter comeback against traditional rivals the Swifts last weekend, the Vixens have propelled themselves into another Grand Final – this time in front of a home crowd at Rod Laver Arena. With the Vixens faithful buzzing, expect a showdown for the ages as the home side pushes for their first title win at home since 2014.

In the Vixens’ goal third, composure will be crucial. Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin were at their clinical best last weekend, with a combined 22 goals in the final term. This weekend, they'll again need to lean on their strengths – reading each other and working their attacking structures to perfection. When the pair is on they’re near impossible to stop, and their connection will be vital on Saturday night against a versatile Fever defensive unit.

With the Vixens’ midcourt humming, coach Simone McKinnis will be spoilt for choice in the WA position, with Hannah Mundy returning from a foot injury and young gun Zara Walters having proven herself more than capable of running out 60 minutes alongside captain Kate Moloney.

Moloney, Mundy and Walters have proven how damaging they can be, willing to work hard to hit circle edge and relentless in full-court defence. Jess Anstiss and Jordan Cransberg are having impressive seasons, so expect intense battles through the midcourt on Saturday night.

Rudi Ellis is coming off one of her best games of the season, while Jo Weston and Kate Eddy have each excelled in both GD and WD, McKinnis calling on their versatility in key moments across the year to great effect.

The back end has a tough job to combat the height and pace of Fever's attack with Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Shanice Beckford and Alice Teague-Neeld each posing threats, and they'll need to have a crack at every pocket ball and put arms-over pressure on every feed to give their side the best chance at going all the way.

THE NUMBER
3: Saturday night will be the third time in SSN finals history that the Vixens and Fever will meet in the decider. History has shown there’s nothing quite like a Vixens vs Fever final, with the Vixens victorious by just two goals in 2020, and Fever returning serve in 2022. Who will take bragging rights in season 2025?

ALL IN. ALL VIXEN.