Last weekend saw the two semi finals played in Suncorp Super Netball.
On Saturday, Melbourne Vixens became the first team through to the grand final, when they completed a comprehensive victory over Sunshine Coast lightning in the major semi final. Vixens went to the quarter time break up by 5, but they really blew the game wide open with a dominant second quarter, and then continued to pile on the pressure in the third. The defensive combination of Emily Mannix and Jo Weston had it all over their opposition, but in what was a scrappy match at times, the Lightning players were often their own worst enemies, committing too many turnovers. Vixens have been the strongest team all year with no weak links, and will be a very hard team to beat on grand final day.
On Sunday, the minor semi final was played and this proved to be the better of the two games. NSW Swifts had slightly the better of a competitive first quarter against West Coast Fever, and then raced away to a seven goal lead at half time, thanks largely to Sam Wallace and Helen Housby who shot 5/5 from super shot range in the first two quarters. A change was needed for Fever, and it came in the form of young defender Sunday Aryang who came on at goal defence. She had an incredible second half, and was largely responsible for the score turning around quickly. Level at 3/4 time, Fever then went on with it in the final quarter to win by five goals. Jhaniele Fowler was her usual reliable self with 55/56, while Alice Teague-Neeld supported her well.
For Swifts, they will be disappointed. They were just a notch down on their high level from last year and came up short in their bid for back to back titles. Fever now moves on to tackle Lightning in the preliminary final on Sunday.
2020 SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL – Major Semi Final
Melbourne Vixens 63 (18, 16, 16, 13) def Sunshine Coast Lightning 47 (13, 7, 10, 17)
Vixens
Kumwenda 31/32 (97%)
Thwaites 25/28 (89%)
Philip 2/6 (33%)
Team Total: 58/66 (88%)
Super shots 5/11 (Thwaites 5/7, Kumwenda 0/1, Philip 0/3)
Assists 51 (Watson 26)
Gains 14 (Mannix 8)
Lightning
Koenen 19/23 (83%)
Wood 19/23 (83%)
Proscovia 0/1 (0%)
Team Total: 43/51 (84%)
Super shots 4/9 (Wood 3/7, Koenen 1/2)
Assists 40 (Langman 15)
Gains 11 (Maweni 5)
Player of the Match: Emily Mannix (Vixens)
2020 SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL – Minor Semi Final
West Coast Fever 67 (15, 14, 19, 19) def NSW Swifts 62 (17, 19, 12, 14)
Fever
Fowler 55/56 (98%)
Teague-Neeld 10/17 (59%)
Team Total: 65/73 (89%)
Super shots 2/6 (Teague-Neeld 2/5, Fowler 0/1)
Assists 61 (Teague-Neeld 28)
Gains 15 (Bruce 7)
Swifts
Wallace 40/44 (91%)
Housby 12/17 (71%)
Garbin 2/3 (67%)
Team Total: 54/64 (84%)
Super shots 8/12 (Wallace 6/9, Housby 2/3)
Assists 50 (Proud 20)
Gains 12 (Klau 8)
Player of the Match: Sunday Aryang (Fever)
Upcoming matches:
1pm AEDT*, SUN 11 OCT – Preliminary Final – Lightning v Fever
* 12pm AEST
