West Coast dismiss pressure to ‘earn’ hosting rights with comfortable win over Vixens who will now play Giants for place in Perth grand final
Australia board members sat watching on high in their corporate boxes, the players threw themselves into battle. What else could they do?, the major semi-final between the Melbourne Vixens and West Coast Fever was surprisingly anti-climactic. The Vixens appeared to feel the pressure of having been the focus of the grand final discussions for the previous few weeks and played well below their best. The Fever took advantage and made light work of the minor premiers.
It was in the minor semi-final where the emotions of the build-up came to a head. With the winner to head to Melbourne to take on the vulnerable-looking Vixens and the loser to be eliminated, there was much to play for. There was animosity between English teammates Jo Harten, the Giants’ captain, and Geva Mentor, co-captain of the Magpies, as the two grappled for ascendancy. Harten’s emotions are part of her game, she is able to wear her heart on her sleeve and continue to play at her peak.
However Harten’s experience in playing the emotional game came to the fore in the second half and despite her obvious frustration with Mentor and the constant niggle between the two of them she kept on turning to the post and sinking her shots. Her 40 goals at 90% accuracy were also able to compensate for her goal attack Sophie Dwyer, who was kept uncharacteristically quiet by the Magpies’ Jodi-Ann Ward and Jacqui Newton, shooting just nine goals at 64%.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Giants advance to Super Netball preliminary final with win over MagpiesThe Giants remain in the hunt for successive Super Netball grand final appearances after a strong second-half effort set up a 55-48 home elimination final win over Collingwood in Sydney.
Read more »
West Coast Fever earn right to host Super Netball grand final after knocking off Vixens in semiJamaican superstar Jhaniele Fowler produces a goal-shooting masterclass as West Coast Fever scored an emphatic 71-62 victory over Melbourne Vixens to earn a place in the Super Netball grand final.
Read more »
Qantas chief wants more jobs, but to kickstart biofuelsAlan Joyce says Qantas has had “encouraging conversations” with the Labor government about setting up a biofuels hub in Australia.
Read more »
Hamish Blake takes out Gold Logie as TV’s biggest night returns after two yearsThe popular host also took home the inaugural Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter on a winning night for Lego Masters Australia.
Read more »
Hamish Blake takes out Gold Logie as TV’s biggest night returns after two yearsLego Masters host hamishblake emerged as Logies night’s golden boy, winning the Gold Logie for most popular personality on Australian TV, and pocketing the inaugural Bert Newton Award for most popular presenter | michaelidato
Read more »
Sri Lanka produces record chase as Australians beaten in third ODI matchSri Lanka has comprehensively beaten Australia by six wickets in the third ODI in Colombo, with the home side completing a record chase with ease against the tourists.
Read more »