Melbourne Vixens take on West Coast Fever after stunning preliminary final comeback

Super Netball grand final LIVE: Melbourne Vixens take on West Coast Fever after stunning preliminary final comeback

Super Netball grand final LIVE: Melbourne Vixens lead Fever by one point at quarter time

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Updated August 2, 2025 — 8.14pmfirst published at 6.52pm

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8.14pm

Vixens lead by two goals at half-time

Vixens star Sophie Garbin in action.Credit: Getty Images

That’s the half-time and the Vixens are in front by two goals.

Teamwork between Vixens goal shooter Sophie Garbin and goal attack Kiera Austin resulted in a brilliant and much-needed shot that kept the Melbourne team out in front.

Score: Vixens lead 33-31

8.11pm

‘Let’s see if we can put them under pressure,’: Vixens take a timeout

The Vixens briefly took a timeout and are huddling closely.

“Let’s see if we can put them under pressure,” said captain Kate Moloney. The Vixens are still ahead, but Fever are close behind.

8.08pm

Super Netball grand final: In pictures

By Hannah Kennelly

There’s been a brief time-out, so while we wait, let’s check out some pictures of tonight’s game.

Kiera Austin of the Vixens shoots under pressure from Kadie‑Ann Dehaney of the Fever. Credit: Getty Images

Tonight’s Super Netball game Credit: Getty Images

8.05pm

Vixens in front

We are halfway through the second quarter now. The Vixens score early, but the Fever manage to turn it over quickly.

Fowler-Nembhard manoeuvres effortlessly round the Vixens’ defence and scores another. But the Vixens are still in front – just.

Score: Vixens lead 28-26

7.58pm

Scores level as Fever fight back

They are at the top of the ladder for a reason. In the blink of an eye, the Fever have fought back to seamlessly notch a few goals.

Score: Vixens 22, Fever 22.

7.55pm

Q2 begins; Vixens score

The atmosphere is abuzz at Rod Laver Arena.Credit: Getty Images

Chants of “Let’s go fever” echo around the arena, as Rod Laver Arena flashes with brilliant spotlights of green and blue.

The Fever are coming off 13-consecutive wins so the Vixens are understandably the underdogs tonight. However, it appears no one has told this Melbourne team that.

The Vixens’ energy levels seems to have gotten even higher, and they start the second quarter with two consecutive goals.

Score: Vixens lead 19-18

7.49pm

Q1: Vixens lead 17-16

That’s the first quarter done and the Vixens are in front by one goal.

The Melbourne team lost the lead briefly to Fever, however they capitalised on the power play period to claw back some points.

Vixens lead 17-16

7.47pm

Power play period commences and Vixens score!

We are now entering the final 90 seconds of play, which means it’s power play period time (you have a two-point super shot period).

Fever had a two-goal lead heading into the super shot period, however the Vixens managed to score with a brilliant long shot.

The crowd are roaring their approval, with a passionate group of fans behind the media box screaming in delight.

7.44pm

Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard dazzles and pushes Fever further in front

Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard is arguably one of the best shooters in Australia and probably the world. So her dominance tonight is fairly inevitable.

Jhaniele Fowler‑Nembhard shoots.Credit: Getty Images

She’s easily weaving her way past Vixens’ defence tonight.

Score: Fever lead 14-12

7.40pm

Fever take the lead

The ball is moving fast and the Rod Laver Arena crowd is roaring.

Jamaican defender and Fever goalkeeper Kadie-Ann Dehaney is on fire tonight and is proving to be a formidable obstacle to Vixens shooter Sophie Garbin. She’s intercepted Garbin several times tonight.

Score: Fever lead 9-7