IT is do-or-die for Suncorp Super Netball 2020 as 2018 grand finalists Sunshine Coast Lightning and West Coast Fever face-off in the preliminary final, in hope to progress through to the grand final against the Melbourne Vixens next week.

Sunshine Coast Lightning v. West Coast Fever
Sunday, 11 October

The Fever have been resurgent in 2020, hitting their stride at the right time to make them real premiership contenders. On the other hand, Sunshine Coast have been a bit up and down, unable to implement their normal run and gun style making for an intriguing battle. the past two times these sides have met the Fever have gotten the better of the Lightning by a substantial margin – 24 and 20 goals respectively – meaning they will have plenty of confidence heading into the clash. However the Lightning should not be underestimated, having made it to all three grand finals since the inception of SSN and they are two-time premiers for a reason.

The main problem for the Lightning lies with stopping towering goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler who has been virtually unstoppable all season. Fowler is a commanding option under the post, able to reel in a multitude of high balls and do so with great ease, while her volume to post makes her dominant. She trumps both Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni in height meaning the Lightning defensive duo will have to be on their A-game to stop the ball from even entering the circle. Pretorius is renowned for her flash style of play but has been down on her lofty standards in recent weeks, something that Alice Teague-Neeld will hope to expose. Although not the most prolific goaler, Teague-Neeld plays more a feeding role, proving to have a hot hand on the feed into Fowler – an area the Lightning must shut down to ensure they do not get blown out of the water.

To nullify the influence of the shooters, the work from the likes of Maddy McAuliffe, Jacqui Russell and Laura Langman out the front will have to be high calibre if they are to keep Emma Cosh and Verity Charles quiet. Charles has been in scintillating form in 2020 with her drive through the centre and ability to attack circle edge on constant display. Her battle with Langman will be one to keep an eye on, with the duo known for their go-get-it mentality and competitive spirit. The Fever have proven they are more than happy to pull the trigger when it comes to making bold moves with Jess Anstiss a viable option through the centre, able to display more of those defensive attributes. On the other hand, the Lightning lack that versatility and flexibility – something West Coast will be acutely aware of and hoping to exploit on Sunday.

The Lightning boast an exciting shooting circle with Cara Koenen really coming into her own in season 2020 but lacking that extra bulk  of someone like teammate Peace Proscovia who can withstand that extra element of physicality from Courtney Bruce. Koenen is quick on her feet, able to receive loopy passes with the dodge along the baseline becoming her signature move, however Bruce is an aerial mastermind meaning Koenen will have to work in overdrive to get free. Much like Koenen, partner in crime Steph Wood does not bode well with the physicality, a trait the Fever have plenty of thanks to Bruce and fellow defender Stacey Francis. But even if the Lightning wear down Francis and Bruce, excitement machine Sunday Aryang is a force to be reckoned with, able to come on and completely change the course of the game credit to her tenacity and read of the play.

There is plenty of finals history between the two sides with the Lightning claiming premiership glory over the Fever back in 2018, however since then both sides have undergone some changes. The Lightning play their best netball when they play with pace and precision which has been missing in their past couple of outings but with everything on the line, expect them to put up a contest. In saying that, the Fever have all the tricks of the trade and have options aplenty to wreak chaos.