Melbourne Vixens have done their bit – now they need Adelaide Thunderbirds to do them a favour to secure a home trans-Tasman netball championship semi-final.
The Vixens scored a percentage-boosting 41-goal win over bottom-placed Central Pulse in their final ANZ Championship fixture at Hisense Arena on Saturday to keep their hopes of hosting the major semi-final alive.
The 80-39 victory now lifts Melbourne to a 12-1 win-loss record and – for now at least – top of the ladder ahead of next week’s finals.
But the Vixens’ finals fate depends on whether Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic can beat the third-placed Thunderbirds in Adelaide on Sunday – and by how many goals.
If Adelaide can upset the New Zealanders, the Vixens will finish top of the table and host the major semi-final against the Magic next week.
Waikato/Bay of Plenty, who are currently 11-1, can secure home court advantage for next week’s semi-final with a victory which lifts their goal percentage above the Vixens.
Melbourne’s shooters Caitlin Thwaites (37 goals from 42 attempts), Sharelle McMahon (25/29) and pinch-hitter Ashlee Howard (18/19 at 95 per cent) ensured the Magic will have to work for home court advantage with their dead-eye work in front of goal.
The Vixens also tested out several different combinations – all successfully – as they parlayed a seven-goal quarter-time lead into 21 by halftime and 34 by three-quarter-time.
“We’ve done everything we can to put pressure on the opposition tomorrow, but it wasn’t just about goals, it was about playing quality netball and I thought we did that beautifully,” Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg said.
“Everyone’s stepping up, they’re being leaders, they’re being responsible out on court.”
McMahon admitted grabbing home court advantage for the finals would be ideal, though what happens now is out of their hands.
“Obviously we want it (a home major semi). We don’t mind the travel, we have a lot of fun, but along with that comes checking in two to three hours, going through customs, the long flight,” McMahon said.
“If we can stay at home, that’s exactly what we want to do.”