The Sunshine Coast Lightning have been crowned back-to-back Super Netball champs after a thrilling three-goal win over the West Coast Fever.
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Final score
West Coast Fever 59
Sunshine Coast Lightning 62
Here we are, on the final day of the Super Netball season, the West Coast Fever will go head-to-head with the Sunshine Coast Lightning at Perth Arena. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 1pm AEST.
It has been a spectacular recovery by the West Coast Fever, who finished second-to-last and won just one game in 2017.
New coaching and support staff have turned this team into a top contender, and the recruitment of Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler could well take this team all the way.
The Fever earned their place in their first grand final with a six-goal victory over the Giants in the semi-final.
Their opponent, the Sunshine Coast Lightning, have won their last six games to be in this position and are going for back-to-back championships.
After the thrill of winning the inaugural Suncorp Super Netball season, the Lightning had a slow start to 2018, but are now primed to tackle the Fever in the final game of the year.
Sunshine Coast first defeated their Queensland rivals – the Firebirds – in the semis, before ending minor-round champions the Giants’ dreams in the preliminary final last weekend by nine goals.
Expect to watch the two starting line-ups battle it out from start to finish, as neither side really use their bench; the Fever average 5.3 positional changes per game, the Lightning just 2.6 changes on average.
The match-ups are intriguing all over the court, but the two battles in the goal circles at either end will be brilliant to watch.
Jhaniele Fowler and Geva Mentor will once again compete, as they have many times at domestic and international level, while national teammates – Courtney Bruce and Caitlin Bassett – will become foes for 60 minutes.
These two teams met twice during the regular season and on both occasions, the Fever won by just one goal (Round 3 56-55 and Round 10 58-59).
This is sure to be a close one, so switch on to Channel Nine and tune in for an hour-long, high-intensity battle between the Fever and the Lightning.
Prediction
On form, Sunshine Coast look the better side with six wins on the trot and the finals experience to get the job done.
But it won’t be that easy, with everyone in Perth and Western Australia behind the girls in the green dresses after an impressive season in 2018.
There is every chance this could go to extra time and if it does, the thousands of home supporters will help the Fever take their first title.
West Coast Fever by two goals.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 1pm AEST.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
The Sunshine Coast Lightning have gone back-to-back in the Suncorp Super Netball grand final, defeating the West Coast Fever by three goals. In front of 13,722 fans at the Perth Arena, West Coast Fever couldn’t quite complete their fairy tale rise up the ladder with a premiership. Lightning shooter Caitlin Bassett was the Player of the Match. It was a tight, physical start to the game, neither team looked too nervous as few errors were made in the first term. Steph Wood left the court with what appeared to be a sore back, after colliding with the goal-post. She was strapped up, given some pain-killers and returned in the second quarter to resume her goal attack position. The sides couldn’t be split at the first break, the score 14-all. In the second, the Fever took control of the game, Courtney Bruce getting touches on everything in defence and Verity Charles feeding beautifully into shooter Jhaniele Fowler. West Coast extended their lead to as much as seven goals in the second term, but the last three goals went the way of the Lightning and they pulled the deficit to just three goals at the long break. The Sunshine Coast Lightning came out in the third all guns blazing; they stepped up their game, got Steph Wood involved in the play and had a six-goal turn-around. Again, the Fever tired in the last two minutes of the quarter and the Lightning scored quickly to hold a three-goal advantage at the final change. The fourth quarter had more lead changes and momentum swings, the Fever fought their way back in front with less than five minutes to go, but couldn’t hold on, as the Lightning kicked into another gear. With one minute to go it was all decided, a late turnover created an opportunity for the Sunshine Coast and they put it through. The Sunshine Coast Lighting are back-to-back champions of the two-year-old Suncorp Super Netball competition. It is truly an incredible effort; a complete team, well coached by Noeline Taurua, came from fourth on the ladder to win the premiership. Courtney Bruce’s battle with Lightning shooter Caitlin Bassett was mesmerising to watch. Bruce fought hard all day for intercepts and deflections, but Bassett was steady under the goal post for the Sunshine Coast. Fever shooter Jhaniele Fowler had the better of Geva Mentor for most of the day, but Lightning captain Mentor took it upon herself in the second half to win the game for her team, deflecting and taking away space from the Fever attackers. Sunshine Coast had a slow start to their second season, but came home flying. Seven wins to end the year, resulting in the premiership. The West Coast Fever ladies can hold their heads high, a huge turnaround this season after a second-last finish in 2017. In their first grand final appearance they couldn’t quite get the job done, but plenty more Super Netball finals ahead for this Fever side. Final Score Fever 59 Lightning 62
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
They scrapped their way into finals, won three in a row away from home to get to the champs. Brilliant effort by the Lightning. Fever sensational all year, just missed out today in front of 13,722 fans at the Perth Arena. Fever 59 Lightning 62
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Great performance by the Lightning in this one, two in a row for the Sunshine Coast girls. Formed just two years ago, they're the most successful start up club in Aussie national sport. FINAL SCORE: Fever 59 Lightning 62
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Back to back champs in 30 seconds.... Fever 59 Lightning 62
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
No contact called against Mentor, now the Lightning will run away with it here. Fever 59 Lightning 61
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
1:30 on the clock. Fever 59 Lightning 61
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
McAuliffe with a second caution. Fowler scores. Fever 59 Lightning 60
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Bassett scores again. Fever 58 Lightning 60
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Lightning patient, 2:20 on the clock... Fever 58 Lightning 59
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Huge two minutes, now the Fever have a really tough 3 minutes ahead. Need to get an intercept. Fever 57 Lightning 59
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Bassett scores and the Lightning take the lead. Fever 57 Lightning 58
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Medhurst overcooks the pass into Fowler, Lightning with a chance now. Fever 57 Lightning 57
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Anstieß tumbles, but gets called for contact. Wood scores, all square again. 4:00 on the clock. Fever 57 Lightning 57
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
This is too intense, we knew it would be close, but this could be pure luck.... Fever 57 Lightning 56
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Fowler scores, things getting heated out there, players getting tired. Fever 56 Lightning 55
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Fever get the turnover they need, Fowler levels things. Fever 55 Lightning 55
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Great feed from Charles to Fowler. Fever 54 Lightning 55
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Lightning by one, as Fowler sinks another for the Fever. Fever 53 Lightning 54
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Lightning ease it down, then go across the transverse line... they find Bassett and the Lightning use their pass. Fever 52 Lightning 53
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
8:24 left on the clock in this grand final. Fever 52 Lightning 53