That's all for season 2018
Thanks so much everyone who joined me for the blog today, and a huge congratulations to the Sunshine Coast Lightning. What a feat: just two years into their existence and they’re the first back-to-back champions of the Super Netball competition. They’ve also pulled off a win in front of a new national netball attendance record crowd of 13,722.
Great to end the season with a big tick of approval for the sport and this competition.
Here’s Megan Maurice’s match report for you to enjoy.
Thanks for joining me for a wonderful grand final, and also for your company throughout the season. It has been a joy to cover this wonderful sport.
Updated
Winners receive their medals
Everyone’s being hurried along after Bruce’s gracious speech as the defeated captain was wrapped up. Would like to hear from Taurua on her intentions going forward. Geva Mentor is last and gets the biggest cheer from the outnumbered Coast fans.
Mentor speaks: acknowledges that the competition has been “harder than ever this year”. Was confident Fever would make it to the grand final. Pays credit to the introduction of the bonus point system, indicating the Lightning have benefitted from it in particular. Not sure all the players and fans would agree that it has been a good thing, but that’s one tick of approval.
There’s just one thing left which is the trophy, and it’s a somewhat anti-climactic presentation, but they’re grinning as confetti flies everywhere and photos are taken. There’s an impromptu song, too.
Updated
Caitlin Bassett wins player of the match
Fair call given she shot 45/50, at 90%, but it’s a bittersweet announcement for the crowd. Bassett, of course, is a former star of the state. Think Fowler and Browne would’ve been right up there in the voting too.
Updated
“Play like a girl”
Loved that speech from Suncorp CEO who says she hopes that everyone who utters those words thinks of the incredible feats of the women on court today.
THRILLING.
— 9Netball (@9Netball) August 26, 2018
This is too close!#FEVvLIG #SSNGF18 pic.twitter.com/SaN6tFrhzl
Updated
Trophy presentation still to come
Give me a moment to catch my breath and get you some photos. Some great vision on TV of Sunshine Coast fans at home watching the grand final victory.
Here are the final moments.
The scenes. 🏆🎉#FEVvLIG #SSNGF18 pic.twitter.com/hQHNaDZlwx
— 9Netball (@9Netball) August 26, 2018
Updated
Kelsey Browne speaks
Acknowledges the team really weren’t sure so long ago whether they’d make the finals, let alone the grand final. Is asked what changed after three losses to begin the season. She doesn’t think they did much different but used the lack of belief in the team as ammunition. Is asked about her coach, with Taurua tipped to take over the job with the Silver Ferns. She tears up, and says they desperately want her to stay.
Courtney Bruce speaks
Huge roar from the crowd in acknowledgement of their captain. First grand final appearance in a 22 year history, she says she’s very proud of the team to reach this point and bets the team will be back “with huge vengeance”. She says the Perth crowds are the most “hostile” to play in front of, and is thrilled about the new record numbers.
To be fair, her teammates aren’t anywhere near as positive on the bench. They look devastated.
Geva Mentor and Caitlin Bassett speak
Mentor says she’s “flabbergasted” by what the team has achieved, and incredibly proud as captain. Acknowledges the crowd was “electrical” and the fantastic turnout. Says the players could hardly hear the umpires because of the noise. Says she’s thankful she plays a team sport after her tussle with Fowler.
Bassett talks to Liz Ellis, who asks her if this is “bittersweet”. Says it’s an amazing venue at Perth Arena, and acknowledges the passionate Coast fans who made the trip over. She says she was trying desperately to get Wood back onto the court after her fall. She’s asked about her battle on Bruce and says she’d rather play with than against her, but she values playing on the best.
Sunshine Coast Lightning win back-to-back championships 62-59 West Coast Fever
Wow, this is massive. They’ve weathered an incredibly parochial home crowd, and now have won two championships from two seasons. Congratulations to Noeline Taurua and all her charges. What a win, the most successful start-up team in Australia.
The home crowd are stunned in silence, but all credit to the away team. They were brilliant and weathered the most difficult of storms. “We did this together ladies, let’s remember this” says an emotional Geva Mentor. There’s hugs all round for the successful team as they say thankyou to quite a large contingent of their won fans who travelled to the other side of the country to see this.
Updated
Q4 01:00 Fever 59-61 Lightning
Fowler gets one back but it’s a Lightning ball and they need a turnover. Another call goes against the Fever, and Lightning are in the box seat. penalty goes to Wood who scores. Think this might be back-to-back for Sunshine Coast. West Coast lose the ball after Mentor gets the deflection!
Q4 02:00 Fever 58-60 Lightning
This could be a heartbreaker for the Fever, but Medhurst pulls them back within one. They’ll need to win the ball back. Lightning are going slow int he build-up. Great defence from Fever but Bassett takes it. She misses but gets the offensive rebound. Bassett is 44/47 and has an offensive rebound for every one.
Q4 03:00 Fever 57-59 Lightning
Pretorius forces the ball out of court and now the Lightning have the ball back. Fever thought they’d won it back but it’s called offside. They’ll go ahead through Bassett. They now have centre pass, and Bassett wins another for obstruction. Crowd boos!
Updated
Q4 04:00 Fever 57-57 Lightning
Unbelievable, the Fever are back in front, and the noise has again lifted another decibel. Bruce looks to pull off a great intercept but it’s contact on Bassett, and Wood scores. Fowler hits her 52nd goal for the game from 54 attempts and it’s a one goal advantage. Bassett won’t go long and Anstiss tips out but gives away the penalty. All level again.
Q4 06:00 Fever 55-55 Lightning
Mentor is really stamping her authority on this game with it much harder to find Fowler than it has been all game. Bassett is simply rock-solid in attack for the Sunshien Coast, but Fowler is doing everything to pull her side over the line. Browne has found another pace, but Scherian throws the ball away through Wood’s feet. There’s calls for offside, but they aren’t given. Things are unravelling on court but Fever levels through Fowler!
New national netball attendance record of 13,722
Well done to everyone in the stadium and everyone involved in this wonderful competition.
Well done @WestCoastFever & @sc_lightning fans. A new national league attendance record of 13,722. #AllOnTheLine pic.twitter.com/0ELPIRzAAm
— SuncorpSuperNetball (@SuperNetball) August 26, 2018
Q4 08:15 Fever 52-53 Lightning
Fowler is producing some seriously special play – and Mentor calls a time-out with her side one up. Phew, I needed a breather myself.
Updated
Q4 08:30 Fever 51-53 Lightning
Fowler scores to bring it back to just one, and she revs up the crowd in a big way. Noise is at fever pitch. “Let’s go Fever” rings out across the arena. Well done by Browne to draw the contact, and Bassett scores. Fowler calls for it long, Mentor tips, but Fowler saves the ball with some serious athleticism. Bassett gets one back.
Q4 10:30 Fever 49-51 Lightning
Oh no, Bruce has nowhere to go and Bassett is in all kinds of space. Fever look somewhat rattled, and desperate. Fowler steps in and Pretorius is pulled up for osbtruction. Doesn’t like it, mind you. Big win for West Coast, who turn it over. Bassett gets the tip but it’s out. Everyone looks nervous and play is erratic. Fowler steadies.
Updated
Q4 12:30 Fever 46-50 Lightning
Lightning take the advantage with the first to Bassett. Fowler doesn’t want the shot despite being in good range, and risks turning it over by passing back. They finally work it out, but Fowler throws it away again and Medhurst misses. Mentor, however, throws the ball out of court horribly, that must be nerves! She then gets an incredible turnover, but catches Scherian by surprise by throwing the ball literally into her face. Wow. (Bizarre) play of the day. Fowler capitalises, but Bassett responds.
Three-quarter-time Fever 45-48 Lightning
Lightning go two up with just under a minute to go. Fever are stuck in midcourt, there’s a loose pass, but they manage to mop it up anyway. Fowler then takes on and defeats both Mentor and Pretorius with a high pass. Bassett gets one back with just 15 seconds to go. Can Fever score? Oh no! Pretorius gets an all-important intercept in the midcourt, and now it’s Lightning by three!
That could be a killer blow as the crowd is visibly deflated.
Updated
Q3 01:08 Fever 44-45 Lightning
This is so important with just a couple of minutes remaining. Medhurst steps up to score as Fowler chooses not to step in. Bassett, however, hits back immediately with an impressive pass from Browne. Now the Lightning get the turnover in midcourt, and Bassett scores to get her coach on her feet.
Q3 02:25 Fever 43-43 Lightning
Wow, Bruce gets a hand in on a short pass and the Fever get the turnover. Fowler *surely* takes longer than three, but the umpires are this time on the side of the Fever, and now West Coast are back in front. Another incredibly loud chant rings out across the arena.
Q3 03:45 Fever 41-42 Lightning
Teams trading goals and errors at the moment. Mentor and Fowler hit the deck, and Medhurst offloads to Fowler for another. There’s just one in it, we’re trading goals at the moment. Confirmation the crowd is a new national league record. Mentor and Pretorius get a two on one with Fowler but give away the penalty. That hurts.
Q3 06:00 Fever 38-40 Lightning
Courtney Bruce calls for some smiles from her teammates, as Wood nails a long bomb in a sign she’s regained her confidence. Fever look uncertain for perhaps the first time this final. Medhurst, however, follows up with her own long-range effort. She’s now four from seven. Bassett now at 25/28, while Fowler’s goal takes her to 34/36.
Q3 07:40 Fever 36-37 Lightning
Francis’ pass is errant and the Lightning can go one in front thanks tot he turnover. Browne finds Bassett with some superior vision, and Taurua looks pleased for perhaps the first time this game. Wood offloads instead of taking the mid-range shot, and Bassett takes another as Francis hits the floor.
Fever call their first time-out in a sure sign the momentum has swung.
Updated
Q3 08:50 Fever 35-35 Lightning
Fever holding on by one as Bassett holds position. We’re goal for goal at the moment. Sunshine Coast would surely be happy with this scoreline. Medhurst gets one of her own after playing definitive second fiddle to Fowler.
Q3 11:30 Fever 32-31 Lightning
Fowler gets the first of the third quarter for the Fever. Let’s not forget they haven’t lost a game when leading at three-quarter-time, so the Lightning will be keen to get ahead. Charles is leading the goal assists for the game with 12. Pretorius, usually fierce with her intercepts has just the one for the game. It’s still level. Fowler misses but manages an offensive rebound by way of contact.
13,722 here for this game. Huge. Sixth biggest from my understanding.
Q3 13:30 Fever 29-29 Lightning
Here come the Lightning with the first shot on goal, and Wood is successful with the the mid-range effort. Wow! Mentor literally flies over her opponent with a brilliant tip, and it’s now another goal to the Sunshine Coast. We always expected they’d fight back and here they come. It’s level!
Credit to the parochial home crowd
Hard to describe how loud they were, and that certainly played a role in the Fever’s dominance in the second quarter.
A packed out Perth Arena cheering on our girls!!! Come on, @westcoastfever!! #SuncorpSuperNetball #netball #grandfinal #allontheline pic.twitter.com/P27zOQt6O7
— Patima Tantiprasut 💁🏻✨ (@the_patima) August 26, 2018
#allontheline pic.twitter.com/W4845lRifl
— Rachel Buckingham (@rachybucky) August 26, 2018
We’re ready to go now.
Half-time Fever 29-26 Lightning
Bassett with another rare miss and yet another offensive rebound. Her and Fowler have dominated in that regard. Seems as if they’ve left too much time for the Fever to score, but they managed to turn the ball over in midcourt, and Wood scores on the buzzer! BIG play by the Lightning to turn the momentum somewhat.
Wood on TV says she’s in some pain but doesn’t want to miss a grand final. Fair!
Updated
Q2 01:00 Fever 29-23 Lightning
Fever capitalise on a penalty to stretch the lead back to seven. Lightning having to work very hard to get the ball to the circle – West Coast are certainly winning the midcourt battle as it stands. Fowler with a very rare miss, but she takes the offensive rebound. What a star. Wood shoots from mid-range, and it’s a confidence-booster. Still, it’s a Fever ball – but Mentor wins a contact against Fowler. Great work from the Sunshine Coast.
Q2 03:00 Fever 27-21 Lightning
Fever lead this quarter 12-5, and they need to keep the pressure on for an important half-time advantage. Lots of lob passes working well for the Fever, this time it’s Medhurst who gets just her second goal for the game.
What a fantastic deflection from Francis on Bassett! This could be critical. McAuliffe and Charles collide heavily in midcourt but everyone’s OK. It’s all on the line and nothing being left behind today.
Q2 05:00 Fever 25-19 Lightning
There’s nowhere to go for the Fever, and they take all the time they can, before Fowler gets out over the back. Both sides are struggling in midcourt, and now the Sunshine Coast turn the ball over. Fowler will take advantage. Reckon we might see a change from Lightning soon, as clearly things aren’t quite working. Great to see the Fowler family enjoying the action as Bassett scores a much-needed goal.
Q2 07:00 Fever 22-18 Lightning
Bassett has had just one goal this quarter, while Fowler has seven. That said, the Lightning usually bounce back after a time-out, so let’s see what they can produce. On cue, Bassett scores. Bruce isn’t happy about some of the umpiring, but she has no reason to worry as Fowler nails one from mid-range. Wow, Bassett with a rare miss, but she gets the offensive rebound.
Updated
Q2 08:18 Fever 21-16 Lightning
Wood doesn’t look comfortable – and now offloads to Bassett, who obliges. There’s just no stopping Fowler, however, and Lightning call a much-needed time-out.
Q2 09:05 Fever 20-15 Lightning
Some impressive defence from the Lightning forces West Coast back into midcourt, but it’s a contact call. Wow, Mentor with a brilliant deflection in a two-on-one with Fowler. Wood has a shot on goal but Francis is too good! Wood looks worried every time she goes for goal. Bruce is smiling broadly and encouraging the crowd to get into it further. Fowler has 14 from 14!
Q2 11:15 Fever 18-15 Lightning
Not a bad injury time-out as it took a little momentum off the Fever, but Browne is called for another step as the Fever look for six in a row. Fowler nails it. Think we might see another time-out if they can’t score soon. Too much on the pass from Francis and Lightning finally have a chance to pull one back. Wood scores from mid range – great to see her looking fit. She misses the long range, however, and Bruce takes the ball.
Q2 13:10 Fever 16-14 Lightning
Koenen is still on court so Wood must not be right not yet at least. Browne lets a pass slip and the Fever capitalise. Fowler gives the Fever the first goal of the second quarter. Lightning almost lose the ball in midcourt again but it’s a contact. Wow, Bruce gets an excellent tip on Bassett, and then capitalises on a wayward offload from Koenen.
Here comes Steph Wood who is back on court. Great news for all involved.
Updated
Quarter-time Fever 14-14 Lightning
What a quarter. That had everything including a nasty looking injury to Steph Wood who may be struggling with a rib and breathing issue.
The Fever crowd are something else – the noise is deafening but the Lightning have showed nerves of steel. Plenty of momentum swings and a smart time-out from the Sunshine Coast means we finish tied up.
Heartbreaking. 😥
— 9Netball (@9Netball) August 26, 2018
Steph Wood comes off after an ugly looking incident. #FEVvLIG #SSNGF18 pic.twitter.com/fbcY3yVsAA
Updated
Q1 00:20 Fever 13-14 Lightning
This is an incredibly physical game. Francis has also hit the floor and we get a towel to try and minimise some of the damage going on. Steph Wood is getting some treatment off court - we think it might be a rib injury as her breathing is an issue. Scherian is called for a step and the Fever have a chance to capitalise. Medhurst can’t score, but Fowler takes the offensive rebound.
Q1 01:22 Fever 12-14 Lightning
Wood is on her feet, which is a great sign. She’s off into the rooms and a possibility to return. Koenen hasn’t had a lot of game time, but she combines well with Bassett, and provides the first offload. Koenen herself hits the deck, but she’s fine. Contact called on Bruce, which displeases the crowd. Bassett has stepped up in a big way - but Fowler pulls one back.
Q1 02:48 Fever 11-12 Lightning
Think we’ll almost certainly see Cara Koenen come on now for Wood. She’s a tough competitor but looks unable to take any further part at this stage. To be honest, the contact looked minimal, but she may have had an existing back injury by the looks.
Updated
Q1 02:48 Fever 11-12 Lightning
Wood has been hesitant to take the mid-range shots – looking instead for Bassett, but this time she steps up for her third to give the Lightning the lead. Fever give away the ball for a foot on the line, and yet again the Lightning have used a time-out to excellent effect.
Oh no, it looks like a bad injury here to Wood: she collides with Bruce and then the post, and looks visibly upset on court. Umpires have extended time on the injury as she’s flat on her back on court.
Q1 03:50 Fever 11-11 Lightning
Coach Taurua focuses on Mentor, who is struggling to contain Fowler. Fever look to score a very important turnover through Bruce but she’s called for a foot on the line. There’s no stopping Fowler right now. Cath Cox is courtside and says the noise from the home crowd is unbelievable. Offside call gives the Lightning a chance to level things up again. They do, through Bassett.
Updated
Q1 05:48 Fever 10-8 Lightning
Bassett has six from six, as the Lightning seek to tame the home crowd’s enthusiasm. Fowler, however, is just too agile. She doesn’t seem to be troubled by her knee whatsoever. Lightning call a time-out – wisely seeking to stall the momentum I think.
Q1 06:32 Fever 9-7 Lightning
Scores level through Fowler again, and Francis gets the deflection, before Bruce wins the ball back. Very long pass to Fowler from Charles, it’s risky, but it pays off and the Fever take back the lead. Last five goals to the Fever! Deafening cry takes over the arena - you can hardly hear the commentary over it! We’ve had a double turnover - first caused by Mentor and now it’s a midcourt turnover for West Coast. Here’s Medhurst’s first shot on goal, and she scores.
Q1 09:00 Fever 5-6 Lightning
Medhurst’s quick hands find Fowler, and she calls for some energy from her teammates and crowd. First big win for the Fever, with Bruce standing her ground on Bassett and forcing the ball out of play and the mistake from the Lightning. Oh wow! Pretorius with another intercept. She’s been on fire - but Wood is called for a step. Nerves, perhaps. Fowler hits back.
Updated
Q1 11:00 Fever 3-6 Lightning
Bassett has found plenty of space already, and gets some boos from the crowd for her efforts. The first intercept of the game goes to the queen in Pretorius and sets up a one goal advantage to the Lightning through Bassett. Bassett doesn’t take the mid-range shot, and Wood gets her first opportunity. Rocks back and slots it!
Q1 12:10 Fever 3-3 Lightning
Bassett almost misses the second shot on goal, but it just falls in. She’s the defector as far as the crowd are concerned. Fowler is proving a handful for Mentor already – just too tall, and too good. Steph Wood burns the Fever with a quick pass to Bassett in space who is also stamping her authority on the contest. Guess who? Fowler follows up.
Updated
Q1 13:45 Fever 1-1 Lightning
An enormous shout of “Fever” goes up around the arena, and the Lightning are forced to be very patient going forward. Nonetheless, Bassett gets the first shot on goal – the quick reply comes through Fowler, with a much easier route to goal.
Here we go!
Game is starting!
Teams are entering the arena
Lightning have won the coin toss and will take the first centre pass. That’s critical, given how close the previous clashes between these sides were!
The crowd are incredibly loud – can’t underestimate how much this means to the parochial home crowd. Nat Medhurst gets perhaps the loudest cheer.
The #SuncorpSuperNetball grand final in Perth, is like the first test match at the @WACA_Cricket in 1970/71 for cricket fans #FEVvLIG#Milestone#inaugural
— Rosalind Lloyd (@roslloyd32) August 26, 2018
Here we go @WestCoastFever! Best of luck ladies- you’ve got this! 💪🏼💚#FEVvLIG #SSNGF18 #GotGrit
— Emma Payne (@emmapaynes) August 26, 2018
Not far away now...
Here’s a little inspiration to get you in the mood from Hall of Famer Liz Ellis, and some final words from Geva Mentor.
The day has finally come! It's all nothing.#FEVvLIG | LIVE NOW on @Channel9 and @9NowAU pic.twitter.com/qTTbL5fpeG
— 9Netball (@9Netball) August 26, 2018
"You've got to be in it to win it!" - Geva Mentor.#FEVvLIG | LIVE NOW on @Channel9 and @9NowAU pic.twitter.com/VmkrHcLnYn
— 9Netball (@9Netball) August 26, 2018
Updated
Lots of anticipation for this one from fans and media alike
Here’s Cath and Liz’s preview and some fan reaction.
Cath and Liz preview today's big game. 😁 #FEVvLIG | TODAY 1.00pm AEST pic.twitter.com/20PivT4HOj
— 9Netball (@9Netball) August 26, 2018
Community Service Warning: The Grand Final starts soon. Netball is all that exists for the next few hours - except of course wine and nibbles 😋 #SunCoastProud #StrikeTwice #FEVvLIG
— Noely ⚡⚡ (@YaThinkN) August 26, 2018
Yaaaasss. Ready for #SSNGF. #FEVvLIG pic.twitter.com/JeDdlm2Aua
— Thomas Nguyen ⚡️ (@ThomasHNguyen) August 26, 2018
How exciting! At the netball. Daughters right up the back but I secured a much closer seat #MOTY #FEVvLIG
— Rebecca (@BadGeoBec) August 26, 2018
Plus a familiar name in Sharni Layton:
Although I'm backing in @sc_lightning today, who's ready to prove me wrong?! Good luck to both teams! May the best team win #FEVvLIG #SSNGF18
— Sharni Layton (@Sharni_Layton) August 26, 2018
Full house for the grand final
Great to see the court packed out. It was after all 22 years since a West Coast side had won a final (a drought broken a couple of of weeks ago). This, of course, is their first grand final and a win would be the ultimate – but they’ll have to get past the reigning champions in the Lightning.
This is BONKERS! #FEVvLIG pic.twitter.com/wCUOkjGWCy
— Hannah (@HanBarry93) August 26, 2018
Updated
Hello to Erin Delahunty!
Great to see Guardian columnist Erin Delahunty is at the game. Really looking forward to reading her analysis tomorrow.
Can she win WA its first piece of elite netball silverware? Jhaniele Fowler puts up some shots almost exactly an hour before the first whistle of @SuperNetball grand final #AllOnTheLine #FEVvLIG pic.twitter.com/vosgRoIYLi
— Erin Delahunty (@della79) August 26, 2018
Welcome
Hello and welcome to the grand final of the 2018 Super Netball season. The Sunshine Coast have surprised some by gaining the opportunity to defend last year’s title after their slow start to the season, but last week’s impressive win over the Giants re-emphasised what a strong team they are, particularly in defence.
These two sides have met twice this season, with wins to the Fever both times – but both clashes were decided by just the one goal. All in all, they’ve played four times, with two wins each; Lightning defeated the Fever comprehensively in 2017 before the emergence of the ‘Green Machine’.
With thanks to the Super Netball website, here are some critical stats to be aware of:
- Fever have averaged 65 goals a game this season, a number that rises to 66.4 per game if you take Lightning games out of the equation. Sunshine Coast average 61 goals against.
- Lightning average 58 goals a game for, and 54 goals a game against.
- Sunshine Coast’s defence of Geva Mentor and Karla Pretorius have combined for the most intercepts of any side. Pretorius leads the league with 40, while Mentor leads for deflections with 102, and is equal to Fever’s Courtney Bruce for defensive rebounds with 28.
- Jhaniele Fowler has been a revelation for the Fever with a league-leading 783 goals (Romelda Aiken is second on 575). In round one and eight this season she scored a record 66 goals.
- Lightning’s Caitlin Bassett’s is third for goal shooting, with 553 for the season. She’ll be up against fellow Diamond Courtney Bruce today. Bruce is second to Mentor for deflections (81), and is third for intercepts (37).
- Watch out for who is leading at three-quarter-time: the Fever have never lost when leading at this stage in a match.
- Lightning are on a six-game winning streak, last losing to Fever in Round 10 by a goal.
If those stats are any indication, this should be an incredibly close match. I tipped Fever earlier this week when put on the spot on radio (given the influence of the home crowd), but now I think I’m leaning towards the Lightning! That all said, whoever I tip usually loses, so I’ll try not to curse either side!
Can’t wait for this one. Back soon.
Kate will be here shortly.
