IT all comes down to this as both Melbourne Vixens and West Coast Fever search for their first Suncorp Super Netball premiership on Sunday. The 2020 season has been unconventional to say the least with a condensed fixture and clubs forced to stay in a hub in Queensland to make the season viable, meaning a grand final victory this year will be even more monumental.

Melbourne Vixens v. West Coast Fever
Sunday, 18 October

The minor premiers will be hoping to bring home the silverware on Sunday and send off their superstars in Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip in style but will have their hands full with a resurgent West Coast Fever outfit. The Fever have really found their stride and are next to unstoppable when they move the ball with speed and freedom, and most importantly they are coming off a big win. However a week off could have worked in favour of the Vixens who were almost the walking wounded at the back-end of the home and away season.

Last time these two sides met, the Vixens were without premier defender and starting goal keeper Emily Mannix, forced to shuffle the bibs around in order to combat Jhaniele Fowler. The Fever goal shooter is a force to be reckoned with under the post given she is exceptionally strong in the air and incredibly accurate, meaning the Vixens will have to work in overdrive to limit her access to post and most importantly take the speed off the ball down the court. Jo Weston has been as consistent as they come, using her long arms to cause hesitation on the pass and shot while her quick footwork enables her to contest every pass, something she will have to do if she is to nullify Alice Teague-Neeld. While Teague-Neeld may not put up a wealth of shots, her ability to get loose and set up the attacking forays is what makes her so deadly to the Fever frontend.

Increased versatility in defence throughout the season has worked wonders for the Vixens with the likes of Kate Eddy able to seamlessly swing into that goal defence position when needed. Missing the semi-final against the Lightning, Vixens fans are waiting with bated breath to see whether or not Eddy will be raring to go come grand final day, however if she is unavailable for selection youngster Allie Smith is more than capable of stepping up to the plate. Smith has proven to be a ball magnet, able to hunt down any cross-court pass while her transition through the centre is impressive. It could end up being a battle of the rookies if Eddy misses, with Smith likely to take on Emma Cosh who has been a revelation since Ingrid Colyer went down for the Fever. Cosh has slotted perfectly into the mix, releasing the ball with great confidence and precision allowing Fowler to go to work under the post. Cosh’s connection with Verity Charles has developed at a rate of knots with the two oozing speed and dynamism to keep the likes of Eddy and Vixens co-captain Kate Moloney busy. The Melbourne Vixens centre is renowned for her two-way running and defensive attributes to pick up intercepts and deflections aplenty leaving the brunt of the attacking work to Liz Watson. While she may still be recovering from an ankle injury, Watson is a key cog to the Vixens frontend able to slice through the defence with her pinpoint passes meaning Jess Anstiss will have to be on her A-game to shut her down.

In the goal circle the Vixens have no shortage of star power with Mwai Kumwenda in ripping form. The Malawi goal shooter is an aerial threat but can also play a holding role under the post credit to her impressive skillset. She will have her work cut out for her against Courtney Bruce who is strong on the body and contests every ball that comes her way to mount pressure and cause hesitation on the pass to allow her to pounce. Thwaites has been a revelation out in her non-preferred position of goal attack with her work rate exceptional and accuracy not wavering despite the extra court space, while Philip has become a real impact player with her injection of speed and long range shooting. The Fever have a couple of defensive tricks up their sleeves with the likes of Sunday Aryang showcasing her explosive nature and ability to change the course of a game in a blink of an eye while the experience of Stacey Francis should not be overlooked.

Both sides boast plenty of gamechangers given the high calibre of players taking the court and making for an exciting contest. With a draw most recently and a nine-goal victory the way of the Vixens in Round 5 it is fair to say that history is on the side of the minor premiers, however if the Fever burst out of the blocks the Vixens could be faced with the mammoth challenge of hunting down the lead. It will take a full court defensive effort to stop West Coast from getting the ball into Fowler, something the Vixens have proven they can do, but will have to be on song from the very first whistle.

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SSN head to head: Grand Final
Kate Moloney feature: Moloney excited for grand final challenge
Courtney Bruce feature: West Coast Fever have one eye on the prize
Centre Pass Podcast: SSN Grand Final preview with Kate Moloney and Courtney Bruce