Finals fixtures for next week
So the ladder finishes:
Giants (minor premiers), West Coast Fever, Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning in the top four and finals. Vixens just miss out, followed by the Swifts, Magpies and Thunderbirds.
Next week in the major semi-final we have the Giants against the Fever at 3pm next Saturday in Sydney. Then in the minor semi-final we’ve got the Firebirds against the Lightning, the Queensland derby, at 1pm at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre at 1pm on Sunday.
They should both be excellent contests – particularly the Giants v Fever game which was decided by just a few points in a preview yesterday when the Giants secured the minor premiership.
That’s it for another regular Super Netball season. Thanks for joining me for today’s live blog!
Updated
Sunshine Coast Lightning defeat Melbourne Vixens 56-51 (bonus point: Vixens)
Commane with another, wow hasn’t she been impressive! Lightning will miss out on a home final as the Vixens take the final bonus point of the match, well done to Melbourne who could really have dropped their heads, but looked a much better side in the final quarter with Mannix on.
Mentor pulls her side in and says there’s still “three games to go”. They’ll be hoping to go back-to-back, but they won’t get a home final. Moloney says her team can be proud for pulling back the advantage in the final quarter, winning the last 15-11.
Commane finishes with 31/33, while Bassett has 41/47. Liz Watson is named player of the match in a losing side – she says the season has been up and down, but to finish the quarter the way they did is a source of pride. Says the Vixens have a lot of heart and faith and are looking forward to coming back stronger next season.
Updated
Q4 01:20 Vixens 49-54 Lightning
Commane pulls one back and now Lightning need to bridge a three goal gap if they want a home final. Bassett misses the mid-range shot and Mannix takes the rebound! Vixens with some impressive midcourt play and Commane goals again (30/32!)
Q4 02:15 Vixens 47-54 Lightning
Weston looks to get the deflection, but is called for contact. Wood then misses, but now it’s Mannix who is called for contact. Bassett takes the rebound and also misses! Lightning under pressure and clearly want the home final. Commane goes too fast with the pass and allow Pretorious in. Bassett gets another and it’s Lightning ball - now it’s five goals in a row for Sunshine Coast.
Q4 03:55 Vixens 47-51 Lightning
Bassett gets the much-needed reply, but they’re a long way away from a fourth term bonus point – it’s 11 goals to five for the Vixens currently. Commane tries to find Philip, but there’s a tip again and the Vixens miss a big chance to inch closer. 7143 in the crowd today – and Bassett goals again.
Updated
Q4 05:34 Vixens 47-49 Lightning
Wood misses and Mannix takes the rebound! Mentor, though, pulls off a very nice deflection on Philip – and it’s yet another turnover, this time to Moloney. Vixens are patient this time and Philip goals. This has been a big turnaround – and I’m still wondering why we didn’t see a change in the third term when finals was on the line. Commane pull sit back to two!
Q4 07:35 Vixens 45-49 Lightning
We resume and it’s another Lightning ball. Bassett penalised for a shove on Mannix – what a late cameo from her. Commane capitalises. Bassett made clear what she thought of the contact, which did look minor on the replay. Vixens still dominating the term - and the Lightning call their third time out.
Nothing comes easy.#VIXvLIG pic.twitter.com/8kTQpMVTjX
— 9Netball (@9Netball) August 5, 2018
Updated
Q4 09:30 Vixens 42-48 Lightning
It’s too long for Bassett, and Mannix has already had a big impact on the rhythm of the Lightning. Sharelle McMahon agrees the change could have happened earlier as Philip nets the long-range effort. It’s six goals to two for the final quarter. Commane with a rare miss after Mentor gets the perfectly-timed tip. Now Wood gets a goal back for Sunshine Coast.
Q4 10:50 Vixens 41-47 Lightning
Quite the quarter from the Vixens so far, but Lightning finally get their first through Wood. In the huddle at three-quarter-time, McKinnis reminded her side that they “want to win” despite having missed finals. Bassett, though, takes another before Commane gets the reply.
Updated
Q4 12:20 Vixens 39-45 Lightning
Mannix with another win opposite Bassett. Just can’t understand why the change was made when the game was over, rather than there to win. But who knows how fit she is. Commane now has 24/25. Philip goes from long range and nets it.
Q4 13:30 Vixens 37-45 Lightning
Commane with the first goal of the final term, such an impressive showing from her after such a long period out. If the Lightning can grab another bonus point they’ll have a home final next week and jump over the Firebirds.
Wow, Bassett with a big miss opposite Mannix, with McKinnis finally endorsing the change many were waiting for.
Sunshine Coast Lightning take the last Super Netball finals spot
Sadly for Vixens fans, there’s no coming back for their side now. For Sunshine Coast fans: your team are officially in the running to defend last season’s title!
Three-quarter-time Vixens 36-45 Lightning (bonus point: Lightning)
Bassett’s pass is an errant one and Ingles gets the tip, but it’s safely in the hands of Wood after a lovely pass from Browne. Think that’s season over now for the Vixens. Commane gets one, but they’re still another two behind and the Lightning have the ball with 20 seconds to go. That’s it - Wood shoots a lovely long range goal!
Lightning into the finals!
Updated
Q3 01:10 Vixens 35-43 Lightning
Contact from Ingles who almost pulls off the intercept. On replay, it looks like a fair contest, that’s a big call. Season on the line for the Vixens, but Wood gets her first for the quarter to stretch the Lightning’s quarter lead to two. They need something special now. Commane gets one but they need two more.
Q3 02:26 Vixens 34-41 Lightning
Bassett misses one, but she gets it back again! Two offensive rebounds for her this quarter, and she’s the difference so far. Commane on the baseline scores - 20/21 (95%) for her in a seriously impressive game. Vixens fall a point behind again for this quarter before Philip has a chance to level, but misses and Pretorious rebounds.
Q3 03:45 Vixens 33-39 Lightning
Nicely timed time-out (no pun intended) for the Lightning again, as they’ve turned around the advantage, leading by a couple in this quarter. Commane passes off to Philip, who puts it in. They’re still a point behind at this stage, eight to nine goals this quarter. Commane pulls it back to nine all.
Q3 05:20 Vixens 31-39 Lightning
Noeline Taurua calls for her charges to trust their teammates after the Vixens manage a run of five goals from the last six. Watson tips the ball out but it’ll be a Lightning ball. Guess who? Bassett from a nice pass over the top. McKinnis can hardly watch - and Pretorious comes around and intercepts. Lightning lead the quarter by one, but Ingles now tips for Moloney... and McAuliffe then counterpunches with the intercept. What a game, but the Lightning are well on top again.
Updated
Q3 07:35 Vixens 31-37 Lightning
Bassett scores again - it’s now 28/31 from her, and some of those misses have resulted in her own rebound and score. A bullet pass from Watson finds Philip who pulls one back, and Ingles now intercepts to give the Vixens a chance again. They pull another back through Philip but it’s still a seven point gap. Make that seven through Commane. Lightning call a time out, and it’s level for the quarter.
Q3 09:00 Vixens 28-36 Lightning
Philip with yet another from a nice mid-range effort. They haven’t seemed to quite adjust to the absence of the tall Kumwenda, and now Philip misses one but Commane can’t take the rebound. Lucky for Melbourne, Watson takes the intercept in midcourt. Commane with another.
Q3 10:30 Vixens 26-36 Lightning
Finally the Vixens score through Commane with both defenders caught out of the circle. Moloney takes the intercept and Watson, top of the circle, wins a penalty for contact and Philip scores. Can this spark a comeback for them? No! Mentor flies above Moloney to win the ball back yet again. Bassett has missed a couple of shots this quarter and then won her own rebound.
Q3 12:20 Vixens 24-35 Lightning
Commane now misses and Mentor takes the defensive rebound. That’s Commane’s only blemish for the day, and the Vixens just can’t seem to put enough pressure on the midcourters. Mannix is warming up in the background...
Q3 13:20 Vixens 24-33 Lightning
Things haven’t started well for the Vixens with Commane throwing the ball straight out of bounds. Surprised to see no change in the Melbourne defence, with Dehaney still on Bassett. Perhaps Mannix just isn’t fit enough yet.
For the Vixens to make finals...
It’s quite simple now, they need to win both quarters, the game overall and win by five or more goals. The Lightning, meanwhile, could still secure a home finals berth if they can power ahead as they did in that quarter.
Half-time Vixens 24-30 Lightning (bonus point: Lightning)
Vixens need to do something about Bassett who gets the final score of a massive second term for their team. I imagine we’ll see a change to the defence the half. Vixens threw everything at them in the first quarter, but now it’s unravelling a little with an offside from Liz Watson, who fell back into the circle. She gets a tip back in mid court, but it’ll go the way of the Lightning. They run the clock down and contact goes against Moloney, but Weston manages the rebound. The Vixens go at full pace, but Philip misses the long range attempt.
Vixens can’t afford to drop another bonus point, and will also need to bridge a percentage back now.
Updated
Q2 02:20 Vixens 24-28 Lightning
Wood misses! It looks like it’s going to be a Vixens ball, but Dehaney just gets a finger to it on the way out. Vixens running out of time to close the gap for that critical bonus point. Philip takes a long-range shot and nets it. Down the other end, however, there’s no stopping Bassett. Pretorious pulls off another impressive tip as she falls onto the floor, and now it’s looking increasingly like a Sunshine Coast bonus point.
Q2 04:32 Vixens 23-25 Lightning
Held ball goes against the Lightning, that’s a let off for the Vixens, but Pretorious pulls off a big intercept. Sunshine Coast can go four ahead now, and 12-7 for the quarter. Nope! Bassett steps, she doesn’t like the call, but it was there. Pretorious gives away a hold and Philip pulls one back for Melbourne.
Q2 06:04 Vixens 22-25 Lightning
Not sure how Bassett found so much space then, Dehaney was looking for the intercept but her timing was all wrong. Commane finds the net for an important goal back. It’s a bit too easy for the Sunshine Coast, however, with Bassett in particularly getting on top. Will Mannix come into the game? Bassett now has 17/18. Philip looks to make a huge save from an errant Watson pass, but she’s called for a step. Bad signs for Vixens.
Updated
Q2 08:03 Vixens 20-22 Lightning
Sunshine Coast pull two goals ahead and the Vixens call a time out. Simone McKinnis looked particularly unhappy after Philip was called for a held ball, but it was there. What have Melbourne got? Lightning have looked better all term, Moloney commends her team’s defence, and says the team don’t need to go “a million miles an hour”. “We can still win this quarter”, she says.
Q2 08:20 Vixens 20-21 Lightning
Lightning look to have more space all over the court right now, but the Vixens are holding on with some gritty work. Oh no! Tegan Philip is called for a held ball, which could be critical as the Lightning look to go two ahead. Wow, Moloney pulls off another huge intercept to come to her team’s rescue again. This time, however, Mentor finds a tip and it comes off the hands of the Vixens.
Q2 09:40 Vixens 20-20 Lightning
Vixens working harder for their goals at the moment – after a big, big build up, Bassett takes a fairly easy goal to respond. Philip, however, pulls off a mid-range attempt to draw level again. Kelsey Browne’s passes are really to the benefit of her shooters right now, and it’s telling.
Q2 11:10 Vixens 18-18 Lightning
Pretorious with a big intercept for the Lightning after the Vixens had pulled off their own turnover. Vixens up to the 27 penalties to eight as the Lightning pull ahead. Some of the intensity of the first term has dropped off. Philip misses, Mentor throws it back in but Moloney intercepts! Big play. Can they draw back level? Commane fumbles but she has another chance. She gets it!
Updated
Q2 12:50 Vixens 17-17 Lightning
Watson takes a tumble behind play but she’s back into the action. This quarter has started in favour of the Lightning who draw level through Wood and the Sunshine Coast come again. Lightning take the lead through Bassett. Commane, however, levels again with a deflection.
Quarter-time Vixens 15-14 Lightning (bonus point: Vixens)
Lightning seem to be deliberately winding down the clock to try and deny the Vixens a bonus point, but Dehaney pulls out a HUGE intercept, and the Vixens take the first bonus point of the game. Massive play.
Updated
Q1 00:36 Vixens 15-14 Lightning
Commane now 11/11. Can’t miss right now. Philip 4/4, and the Lightning throw the ball straight out of bounds, but Steph Wood forces yet another turnover after Weston couldn’t hit the pass. Uh oh, a step from the Vixens may let the Lightning back in with just under a minute to go. Bassett shoots and it’s a Lightning ball.
Q1 02:00 Vixens 14-11 Lightning
Bassett throws the ball away from Dehaney - certainly irritated by the close attention. Commane now up to 9/9 - wow. Hasn’t missed a beat. Vixens on track for the vital bonus point if they can keep this up. Vixens forced back, this is a slow build-up but Commane has a long-range shot which she nails.
Q1 03:23 Vixens 12-9 Lightning
Commane starring in the absence of Kumwenda, particularly given she’s on Mentor - going 7/7. Lightning don’t like what they see and are forced deep back into the court. Vixens defence are unrelenting, but Bassett finally finds a way after a patient build-up. It’s Commane again to sustain the Vixens’ three-goal buffer.
Loving Commane! Got to be the toughest gig in netball this week and she’s killing it! #VIXvLIG
— Alison (@tudorgrrrl) August 5, 2018
KIM COMMANE!!!! Yes. Yes. Yes. Pity though if they go through to Finals she can’t play #VIXvLIG
— Nik (@nikalicious76) August 5, 2018
Updated
Q1 05:05 Vixens 10-8 Lightning
Vixens going at 100% from their shots on goal. Great start from both Commane and Philip. Finally the Vixens draw their own penalty, this time to Philip from Mentor, who shoots truly. Vixens take the turnover this time from Weston, and Moloney picks up the loose ball. Philip sets up Commane who makes no mistake.
Q1 07:00 Vixens 7-7 Lightning
Vixens up to 13 penalties to four. Clearly putting everything on the line, but so far discipline is an issue. The time out has worked for the Sunshine Coast, who look settled. They level the scores with another run of penalties, this time to Dehaney and Wood capitalises.
Q1 08:37 Vixens 7-4 Lightning
Another intercept from Melbourne! This time it’s Moloney who takes the ball, but Philip steps and the Lightning come again. Bassett looks angry about the attention she’s getting from Dehaney, which seemed to rattle her the last couple of times she took a shot (including the time she tried to pass off and threw it out of play). Lighting call a time-out.
Giva Mentor tells her team they now “know what it feels like”. Vixens have brought the heat today.
Updated
Q1 09:34 Vixens 6-3 Lightning
Contact on Bassett, but she tries to second guess the defence and pass it off, but throws it out of court. The Vixens have raced to 10 penalties to just the one from the Lightning, which is a concern early. Commane puts the Vixens out by a gap of two. Bassett and Dehaney with plenty of push and shove.
Q1 11:10 Vixens 4-3 Lightning
Commane draws perhaps the biggest cheer of all as she pulls the Vixens back on par. The pass for Bassett was too wide, allowing the Vixens to bridge the gap. It’s goal for goal at the moment, with Liz Watson shining in midcourt.
Updated
Q1 12:50 Vixens 1-2 Lightning
The Vixens’ first foray forward is intercepted – missing Kumwenda already seemingly. Bassett gets the Lightning on the board to start. She follows up with another, and the initial advantage goes the way of Sunshine Coast. Philip gets the first on the board for the Vixens and the crowd are in voice.
In case you’re more visual...
Here’s quite a simple representation of what the Vixens need to do.
Game starting!
This is what the @MelbourneVixens need to do today to make finals, it could get very close.
— SuncorpSuperNetball (@SuperNetball) August 5, 2018
Tune into Channel 9 (GEM in WA) now or the Netball Live app to watch the action live.#allontheline #SuncorpSuperNetball #VIXvLIG pic.twitter.com/ZOa261fjPO
Starting sevens
Your starting seven! 🏐 Here we go! ⚡️⚡️ ⚡️ #SunCoastProud pic.twitter.com/u2j1wQOv4a
— Sunshine Coast Lightning (@sc_lightning) August 5, 2018
Updated
Great to see some Twitter friends in the crowd...
Atmosphere looks great. Heard the Vixens honoured 10 year+ members too.
Hey @noosalife @LacyMartini we are here!!!! #VIXvLIG 😘 #SunCoastProud pic.twitter.com/IO9zuOBTrx
— Noely (@YaThinkN) August 5, 2018
Apparently, the crowd is rather one-sided..
Our girls warming up. Not seen any other @sc_lightning supporters in stands near us? Mum and I and our scarves a tad lonely 🤣 #VIXVLIG #SunCoastProud pic.twitter.com/J47VGxsFlr
— Noely (@YaThinkN) August 5, 2018
Updated
Vixens will be missing Kumwenda today
Of course we had the heartbreaking news earlier in the week that Mwai Kumwenda ruptured her ACL. She’ll be a big loss today, but there’s been plenty of love for her throughout the week, from teammates, opponents, fans and media alike.
This is shattering news for the @MelbourneVixens ... and for the game. Mwai Kumwenda is a superstar. I have everything crossed that she will be back next season. https://t.co/k65RhH7QFR
— Liz Ellis (@LizzyLegsEllis) July 31, 2018
Giants claim minor premiership
And of course the Giants toppled the West Coast Fever yesterday to finish atop of the standings pre-finals – putting them in the box seat to proceed to the grand final.
While the final placings are yet to be determined, Giants will most likely be hosting West Coast Fever at Quaycentre this weekend in the major semi-final – one week on from beating them 69-66.
The Sydney side had long been looking ahead to the final-round clash and weeks of video study has left them well-prepared for a repeat fixture in the first week of the finals.
Giants goal attack Jo Harten believes her side has proven it is capable of dominating Fever, but she was disappointed to fall 11 goals to 22 in the final period.
“We knew what we wanted to do and we did it for those first three quarters,” Harten said. “The challenge now is: can we do it again, but can we do it for 60 [minutes]?”
There is the possibility Giants will face Sunshine Coast Lightning, who can elevate themselves to second place if they win all four quarters against Melbourne Vixens on Sunday.
Giants and Lighting have a finals history. Lightning blew out the Giants 65-48 in the grand final last year.
On the other hand, if Melbourne Vixens win and take at least two quarters along the way, they will push Lightning out of the finals. A two-quarter win would deliver the result on goals for and against, with Vixens already slightly ahead.
“I don’t really care [who we play],” Harten said. “I come into each and every week just thinking ‘you could lose’ because you’re up against any decent team throughout the whole season. I will have fear in me next week, but that’s just the way I play. We’ve beaten everyone this season now, so that’s a positive for us. We know our home is our fortress.”
- AAP
Are the Firebirds favourites for the championship?
According to Collingwood coach Kristy Keppich-Birrell, the Queensland Firebirds are the team best primed for the Super Netball championship:
Keppich-Birrell had no hesitation in declaring the Firebirds favourites for the title after her Magpies were given a last-round 76-44 hiding at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday.
While minor premiers GWS Giants and West Coast Fever will contest next week’s major semi-final and have earned most attention by finishing in the top two, the Queenslanders carry the best form into the play-offs.
With their backs to the wall to make the finals a month ago, the Firebirds are on a four-match winning streak which has included the scalps of the Giants and Fever.
“They are the team that have improved the most over the season,” Keppich-Birrell said.
“I think most people would think the Fever are the team to beat but I think the Firebirds are the ones who have the cattle and the know-how of how to beat them so they are my tip.
“They’ve had a good run to finals against really good teams and (Saturday) they didn’t just stop, they kept going.”
Normally understated, Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke described her side’s performance in the 32-goal rout - their biggest of the season - as “sublime at times”.
They showed they were championship material at both ends of the court with goal defence Kim Jenner matching Laura Geitz’s smarts and desperation while attacking pair Romelda Aitken and Gretel Tippett combined brilliantly.
The Queenslanders’ form was evident from the outset against Collingwood - putting a downer on retiring trio Sharni Layton, Erin Bell and Shae Brown’s last game - by ripping out a 21-9 first-quarter trouncing.
“They came out firing and they blew us out of the water in the first five minutes and it is pretty hard to come back from something like that,” Keppich-Birrell said.
Diamonds and Firebirds midcourter Gabi Simpson said they had no concerns about upsetting the top two and winning the title away from home.
“We know it is possible, we have done it before and we’ve got good momentum and confidence,” she said.
- AAP
Welcome
Hello everyone and welcome to this Super Netball blog for the do-or-die clash between the Melbourne Vixens and Sunshine Coast Lightning. This one’s at Hisense Arena in Melbourne, which the Vixens will be hoping gives them something of a home advantage.
Only one finals spot is left now with this netball season drawing to a close. Lightning are of course the defending premiership champions and would be very disappointed to miss out on the chance to defend that title. After a slow start to the season, they now look in the box seat to take that opportunity: but they’ll have to get past a Vixens side who until recently had five straight wins after the bye.
Thanks to the Super Netball website, here’s the permutations for who will make finals.
For Vixens to make finals:
- The Vixens reach finals if they beat Sunshine Coast Lightning and claim all four bonus points.
- They also reach finals if they beat Sunshine Coast Lightning and three bonus points, plus increase their percentage (Vixens are currently on 106%, while Lightning are 107%).
- To beat the Lightning on percentage, the Vixens need to win by five or more goals.
- They miss finals if they win but claim only two bonus points, unless the Firebirds win no bonus points.
For Sunshine Coast to make finals:
- The Lightning reach finals if they win, or claim at least two bonus points.
- If they lose but win one bonus point, percentage will determine whether they take fourth spot ahead of the Vixens (Vixens are currently on 106%, while Lightning are 107%).
- In order for the Lightning to drop below the Vixens on percentage, they would need to lose by five or more goals.
- Lightning will finish second if they win and claim all eight points against the Vixens and the Giants win only one point against the Fever, or if they grab seven points against the Vixens and the Giants fail to win a point against the Fever.
I’ll be back shortly to take you through the live action.
Updated
Kate will be here shortly.
