Q1 Fever 19 | Vixens 18.
Fever came out firing in the first quarter, with Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Shanice Beckford taking the first three consecutive goals of the game.
Kadie-Ann Dehaney knew exactly what her role was in Goal Keeper, joined by Fran Williams in Goal Defence, the pair put the pressure onto Vixens shooters Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin.
A battle started to form between Fowler-Nembhard and Vixens Goal Keeper Rudi Ellis, the pair were physical in their opposition and challenge of one another.
The Vixens shooting end found their feet late in the quarter, Kiera Austin's three super shots narrowed the margin, whilst Sophie Garbin’s super shot in the final seconds closed the gap to one goal.
Q2 Fever 38 | Vixens 37
The second quarter was goal for goal between both sides, with the lead swapping on multiple occasions.
The mid court’s presence in the second quarter was crucial for Fever’s momentum, captain Jess Anstiss was incredibly versatile in both the Wing Defence and Centre bib.
Alice Teague-Neeld's ability to move the ball down the court into the shooters hands was crucial, she took seven goal assists and eight feeds for the quarter.
An intercept by Vixen Kate Eddy saw the control shift, aided by Garbin in goals the Vixens took a short lead.
In the final moments of the first term, Beckford took home her second super shot of the game to put Fever back in front by one at half time.
Q3 Fever 52 | Vixens 57
Fowler-Nembhard held herself strong against the defence of Ellis, Mannix and Weston, all of whom had eyes for slowing down the shooter.
Beckford continued to be that option for Fowler-Nembhard, with one rebound, eight goal assists and 11 feeds for the quarter.
The connection between Garbin and Austin changed the course of the game at the 11-minute mark. Seven goals by the pair put the Vixens ahead by five at three-quarter time.
Q4 Fever 72 | Vixens 73
The final quarter of the Preliminary Final was an outstanding display of grit by both teams.
The Vixens widened their winning margin to as high as 12 goals during the quarter, the strength of their attack line moving the ball from the centre pass to goals quickly.
A talk with Head Coach Dan Ryan at the five and a half minute tactical time out saw Fever entirely change gears.
In the space of five minutes the squad narrowed the margin from 12 goals to one, an absolutely stellar comeback.
Credit for their invincible couple minutes on court goes to Fowler-Nembhard and Teague-Neeld’s three super shots each in the space of a few minutes.
A final goal by Garbin with 30 seconds to go secured the fate of the game but could not take away from the incredible effort by the girls in the green dress this season.
