Stacey Francis’ West Coast Fever lost 64-66 in a nail-biting Super Netball Grand Final against the Melbourne Vixens.
Fever’s first quarter effort saw them take an early three goal lead with the Perth side capitalising on some wayward Vixen passes. However, just before the quarter break a Vixens super shot put the Victorian side back within one goal, with the score at 15-16.
The end to end game continued in the second term, Vixens broke through first with a few intercepts from Fever’s miscalculated passes but true to Fever form they continued to grind away. A sudden flurry of goals brought Fever back within one goal in the last moments of quarter and a super shot from Fever’s Jhaniele Fowler (Jamaica) meant they took a 33-32 lead into half-time.
The tables turned in the third quarter with Fever losing their first quarter of the game, a quarter that proved decisive. Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich implemented a change through the midcourt with Francis taking the wing defence bib. With the third quarter ending at 50-47 the game was poised for an incredible finale.
It did not disappoint with the scores locked at 90 seconds to go but it was the Vixens who sealed the win with a goal in the last 10 seconds.
An incredible run for Vitality Rose, Francis and her West Coast Fever team mates who gave their everything in an incredible final.
Match stats
Q1 – Vixens 15 – 16 Fever
Q2 – Vixens 17 – 17 Fever
Q3 – Vixens 18 – 14 Fever
Q4 – Vixens 16 – 17 Fever
Watch the 2020 Grand Final match highlights here:
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