Where and When: Saturday, June 25 at 7:00pm at John Cain Arena
Where to Watch: Foxtel + Kayo Freebies (Australia), Spark Sport (New Zealand) or NetballAustralia.TV (International).
Tickets: Tickets to Saturday’s Preliminary Final are selling fast. Tickets are available via Ticketek and start from $30 Adult, $20 Concession, $15 Juniors.
Last Time They Met (Season 2022): The two teams last met at Ken Rosewall Arena in round nine, in what was a thrilling match for the fans in Sydney. After trailing by 11-goals late in the second quarter, and the departure of Jo Harten from the game due to illness, a young shooting circle in Sophie Dwyer and Matisse Letherbarrow combined to score 11 Suncorp Super Shots and have the scores levelled at the final whistle, taking the game into extra time. In the five minutes of extra time, the experienced Vixens outing combined for some composed, traditional netball to outscore the GIANTS 6-3 and take the four points following a hard fought 65-minute battle.
Last Time They Met (Finals): The GIANTS and the Vixens have met on this occasion before, meeting in the same match back in the 2017 Finals series. Both entered the match off one-goal margins to book themselves a place in the Elimination Final. It was the GIANTS who rose to the occasion, bringing momentum from their Minor Semi Final win into the match, recording an eight-goal victory and knocking out the Minor Premiers in straight sets.
What it Means for the GIANTS: On the road to redemption from the 2021 Grand Final loss, Saturday’s Preliminary Final is the next step to going one step further in 2022. In a do-or-die match, the GIANTS will be channelling ‘their backs against the wall’ mentality that they drew from in the second half of last week’s Minor Semi Final. The GIANTS will need to do their research on the Minor Premiers, with the Vixens the only team the GIANTS are yet to defeat this season.
Where’s the Opposition At: The Vixens come off an uncharacteristic loss to the West Coast Fever in Melbourne last weekend. Finishing top of the table and defeating the West Coast Fever on both occasions this season, the Vixens were the favourites to proceed straight through to the Super Netball Grand Final. A slow start proved too costly for the Vixens, with the Fever outscoring them 19-10 in the first quarter, leaving them on the chase for the remaining three quarters. They managed win the final quarter but it wasn’t enough, with the Minor Premiers left dissatisfied and grateful for their second-chance advantage.
The Name: Maddie Hay – the unsung hero is in her best form of the season. The wing defence turned wing attack was instrumental in the GIANTS’ semi-final win over the Magpies last weekend, leading the GIANTS for both feeds and gains. The Vixens have multiple options to roll through WD and will be no doubt be prepared to throw what they can at Hay to minimise her impact.
The Number: 10 – the average number of Suncorp Super Shots scored by the GIANTS against the Vixens this year.
The News: Melbourne Vixens Goal Attack, Kiera Austin will miss Saturday night’s Preliminary Final, with the former GIANT ruled out of the match under Health and Safety Protocols. Experienced Training Partner Ruby Barkmeyer will come into the team as Austin’s replacement.
