Preliminary Final Preview | Vixens vs Fever

The winner will head to Adelaide to take on the Thunderbirds in the Grand Final on Saturday 3 August – for the loser, it’s season over.

THE MATCH

Melbourne Vixens vs West Coast Fever
Saturday 27 July, 5pm AEST
John Cain Arena | Wurundjeri Country

THE TEAM

Kiera Austin
Kate Eddy
Rudi Ellis
Sophie Garbin
Lily Graham
Emily Mannix (VC)
Kate Moloney (C)
Hannah Mundy
Zara Walters
Jo Weston

TICKETS

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HOW TO WATCH

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

LAST TIME THEY MET

Round 13, 2024
Vixens (67) defeated by Fever (68) at John Cain Arena

THE HISTORY

There are few teams with a finals rivalry as strong as the Vixens and Fever – the Vixens defeated the Perth side in the 2020 Grand Final, who then returned serve in 2022, before meeting again in last year’s minor semi final. In 2024, the Vixens shut down Fever in an 11-goal victory at the RAC Arena fortress, but were just edged out in Round 13 at home.

WHAT TO EXPECT

It’s the Vixens’ final chance in front of their home crowd to snatch a Grand Final berth, but they face a high-scoring Fever lineup that boasts a dynamic and flexible defence. Fierce, body-strong netball from goal shooter Sophie Garbin will be key to freeing up Kiera Austin around the circle, while consistency will be key for the pair as Dan Ryan throws all of his defensive combinations at them.

Midcourt speedsters Zara Walters and Hannah Mundy will need to use their court smarts and connection with Austin and Kate Moloney to work through heavy marking from Fever and execute the Vixens’ short and sharp brand of attack. The Vixens’ start will be crucial – they'll look to fly out of the blocks with fast ball movement and dynamic drives, to get the Fever defenders’ heads turning and bring the home crowd into the contest early.

Rudi Ellis was a standout against Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard the last time they met, and was sensational in Round 7 with her three intercepts, a deflection and a rebound. Coach Simone McKinnis has the luxury of a versatile and relentless defensive unit, and may turn to a combination of Ellis’ reach in the circle, Emily Mannix’s experience and smart footwork, paired with Jo Weston and Kate Eddy’s smothering defence out front to shut down Fever’s path to goal and nullify Fowler-Nembhard's impact.

ONE TO WATCH

The battle between Jess Anstiss and Kate Moloney in Round 13 was a classic captain’s knock from both centres, with Moloney dominating for the Vixens with two deflections, 24 feeds and 102 Nissan Net Points. It was in the final 15 minutes, however, that the contest came alive, with both centres picking off an intercept apiece – a sign of a fierce 60-minute duel to come on Saturday.

THE NUMBER

1: Just one goal has separated the Vixens and Fever in three of their last five games, averaging a goal differential of 4.2 across 2023 and 2024. With the season on the line, expect this preliminary final to go down to the wire and every athlete to leave nothing in the tank come the final whistle.