Preliminary Final preview | Vixens vs Fever

THE MATCH
Melbourne Vixens vs West Coast Fever
Saturday 27 July, 7:30pm AEST
John Cain Arena | Wurundjeri Country

THE TEAM
Kiera Austin (VC)
Kate Eddy
Rudi Ellis
Sophie Garbin
Lily Graham
Emily Mannix
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, 2026
Fever (64) defeated Vixens (55) at John Cain Arena.

WHAT TO EXPECT
There is everything to play for when the Melbourne Vixens take on the West Coast Fever in Saturday's Preliminary Final, with a place in the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final on the line.

This has quickly become one of the competition's fiercest rivalries. After the Vixens claimed the 2025 championship over the Fever in a thrilling Grand Final, the two sides have continued to challenge one another at every opportunity. They have split their meetings in 2026, with the Vixens taking Round 7 before the Fever responded in Round 14, setting the stage for a blockbuster Preliminary Final.

The Vixens will be eager to respond after last week's Major Semi Final, while the Fever secured their Preliminary Final berth with a narrow Minor Semi Final win over the Mavericks. With both sides already recording a win against each other this season, another high-intensity contest is expected.

Our Vixens defensive unit will once again be one of our biggest strengths. Emily Mannix, Rudi Ellis and Jo Weston have formed one of the competition's most formidable defensive combinations, combining aerial strength, relentless pressure and an ability to create crucial turnovers. Their connection and communication across the defensive third have been key throughout the season, and they'll be looking to set the tone early by forcing the Fever into errors and capitalising on every opportunity to win the ball back.

At the other end, the Vixens will back their attacking combination to deliver when it matters most. Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin have been a standout partnership throughout the season, with Austin's vision and precision feeding complementing Garbin's strength and finishing under the post. Lily Graham also showed she can make an impact on the biggest stage last week, shooting four Super Shots in the third quarter to provide a spark and adding another dangerous option in the shooting circle.

The battle through the midcourt will be equally crucial. Led by captain Kate Moloney, the Vixens' midcourt group will need to control the tempo, transition the ball cleanly from defence to attack and create quality opportunities for the shooters in what is expected to be a fiercely contested contest.

One of the key match-ups will see Kiera Austin tested by Fran Williams, with Austin's creativity, movement and accuracy sure to challenge the Fever defender across the full four quarters. Equally important will be Kate Eddy's role against Alice Teague-Neeld. Eddy's speed, work rate and defensive pressure will be crucial in limiting Teague-Neeld's influence through the midcourt, disrupting Fever's attacking flow and helping force the game onto the Vixens' terms. Jo Weston will also have an important role against Sasha Glasgow, particularly during the Super Shot period, where every possession and every goal could prove decisive.

If the Vixens can bring their trademark intensity, relentless defensive pressure and slick ball movement, they'll give themselves every opportunity to overcome the Fever once again and book their place in the 2026 Grand Final as they chase back-to-back championships.

THE NUMBER
4 – Lily Graham showed her composure under pressure in last week's Major Semi Final, draining four Super Shots in the third quarter. She'll be aiming to bring that same spark into this weekend's clash.

ALL IN. ALL VIXEN.