EVENT DETAILS
Sunday 18 October 2020
10.00am WST
Nissan Arena
BROADCAST DETAILS
Nine, Telstra TV and Netball Live app
MOST RECENT MEETINGS
Round 10, 2020: West Coast Fever drew with Melbourne Vixens 63-all.
Round 5, 2020: West Coast Fever were defeated by Melbourne Vixens 59-68.
Round 11, 2019: West Coast Fever defeated by Melbourne Vixens, 52-64.
THE SITUATION
West Coast Fever are up against the League’s best performing club, the Melbourne Vixens, in this winner-takes-all grand final. Vixens have only lost two games in 2020 and drew another against Fever back in Round 10. Fever have played every game leading up to the grand final, where Vixens earned a week off after their semi-final win over Sunshine Coast Lightning. This Grand Final will see a true battle of game plans when you have Fever focussed on delivering a fast and dynamic style up against a Vixens line-up that prides itself on its full team defensive pressure. Vixens will be looking for the fairy tale ending for their two attackers Tegan Philip and Caitlin Thwaites who will retire after this game.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Goal Keeper v Goal Shooter
Courtney Bruce v Caitlin Thwaites
Courtney Bruce has defended extremely well this finals series, strongly supported by the defensive pressure that has been accumulating up the court. The versatility, variation and connection of Fever’s defenders will need to be uncompromising when coming up against the experience of the Vixens attacking line. The battle will be on between Bruce and the in-form retiring Caitlin Thwaites. Vixens are also likely to rotate Mwai Kumwenda into the goal shooter role.
Centre v Centre
Verity Charles v Kate Moloney
Both Kate Moloney and Verity Charles have had stand-out seasons playing their respective roles for their team. Moloney has shown unbelievable discipline with the ball whilst continuing to lead her side in challenging moments. Verity has influenced the efficiency of the Fever attack with her dominating moves and work rate. The combination of Verity Charles, Emma Cosh and Jess Anstiss across the Fever midcourt has shown depth and a threat to any team when delivering the ball. The challenge for both teams is who can impact defensively and execute skills the longest when under the most intense pressure.
Goal Shooter v Goal Keeper
Jhaniele Fowler v Emily Mannix
Jhaniele Fowler is a goal scoring machine and this week she said she has plenty of room for improvement. She is coming up a tough opponent in Emily Mannix, but there is also the threat Vixens could follow in previous opponents' tactics by double-teaming the Jamaican. Fowler’s accuracy for the season is remarkable at 94% with 910 goals scored for the season.
