AFTER all the excitement of yesterday’s major semi-final, today’s Suncorp Super Netball finals action becomes a bit more life and death.

The West Coast Fever are hosting the Sunshine Coast Lightning at RAC Arena this afternoon, with the winner travelling to face the Vixens next week in the preliminary final, while the loser has to head home with no further shot at winning the title this season.

MINOR SEMI-FINAL

West Coast Fever vs Sunshine Coast Lightning
2pm AEST (12pm local)
RAC Arena

RECENT FORM

Despite finishing only third, the Fever have had another strong year, and only missed out on a spot in yesterday’s major semi-final by less than one per cent.

The Lightning on the other hand are back in the finals after a much improved 2024 season, and although their recent weeks have been a little up and down, it is a huge tick for them to even be in the finals.

2024 HISTORY

These two have met twice already this season.

Back in Round 2, the Fever were far too strong for the Lightning at home after recording a really strong second term (which they won by eight goals) and final term (which they won by 10 goals).  

Meanwhile back in Round 8, it was a lot closer affair, so much so that two of the quarters were dead even. This meant it all came down to who won the other two quarters, and crucially the Fever won one of them more than by what the Lightning won the other, so those in green came out victorious again, this time by three goals.

KEY PLAYERS

The biggest weapon for the Fever is arguably their shooting end. With Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard at its heart, teaming up with Shanice Beckford and Olivia Wilkinson spells one big headache for any opposition defence.

But luckily for the Lightning, they have Diamonds stalwart Courtney Bruce and one of the players of the season in Ash Ervin to try and stop them. They also have a pair of international quality shooters of their own in Cara Koenen and Steph Fretwell, so the Fever defenders Sunday Aryang and Fran Williams will certainly have plenty on their plate too.