The NSW Swifts' dreams of back-to-back Suncorp Super Netball titles are over after falling just short (67-62) against West Coast Fever in today's Minor Semi Final at University of Sunshine Coast.
It was a game of two halves with the Premiers coming out firing to dominate the first two quarters before the West Australians responded in kind in the second half.
The Fever will now play Sunshine Coast Lighting next weekend for the right to face the Melbourne Vixens in the Grand Final, which takes place in Brisbane in two week's time.
For the Swifts, it brings an end to a 10-week Queensland odyssey after they relocated there due to COVID-19 restrictions in NSW.
While they were unable to add a seventh Premiership to the trophy cabinet in 2020, they certainly didn't let their title go without a fight.
Early on it looked like the Swifts' long history of playing finals across all competitions would win the day, but they faded at the end, with Fever defence the key to their success.
In a tight and tense opening the Swifts held the Fever scoreless for the first three minutes of the game, forcing their opponents to shoot from range to lead 5-3 after five minutes.
A defensive tip from Courtney Bruce got the Fever back on level terms just before the first Rebel Power Play of the afternoon before Sam Wallace nailed two Suncorp Super Shots to give the Premiers a narrow 17-15 lead at quarter-time.
The teams traded goals at the start of the second quarter before some Swifts hesitation when feeding allowed Bruce take another intercept to get the Fever back on an equal footing.
The Swifts took control of the game in the second Power Play with two offside calls against the Fever giving them the opportunity to put a healthy margin between the teams.
Helen Housby sank a pair of Super Shots and Wallace added another to give NSW a 36-29 advantage at halftime.
The Swifts stretched their lead to nine at start of the third quarter but the when Wallace was twice unable to control possession in under the post in the Power Play it gave Fever a window to come back into the game.
Alice Teague-Neeld added a Super Shot to Fever's tally and suddenly NSW's lead was whittled down to three goals.
West Coast started to get an edge in the midcourt and upped their physicality. When Housby missed a Super Shot attempt Jhaniele Fowler was on hand to put the Fever into the lead before Wallace had the last say of the period to draw the Swifts level just before the final break.
Both teams found a steady route to goal at the start of the last quarter with nothing to separate them. When Wallace attempted a shot when off balance it gave Fever the break they needed to go three up, forcing the Swifts into a timeout with seven minutes left to play.
A Sunday Aryang intercept thwarted the Swifts' hopes of staying on level terms with the Fever heading into the last Power Play and from five goals down they were chasing Super Shots.
Wallace kept them in good touch with some fine shooting from range but the Fever just had enough to come out on top of a titanic tussle.
Quarter by Quarter Scores
SWIFTS | Q1: 17, Q2: 36 (19), Q3: 48 (12), Q4: 62 (14)
FEVER | Q1: 15, Q2: 29 (14), Q3 48 (19), Q4: 67 (19)
Starting Teams
SWIFTS | GS Sam Wallace, GA Helen Housby, WA Maddy Proud, C Paige Hadley, WD Sophie Craig, GD Maddy Turner, GK Sarah Klau
Reserves used: Sophie Garbin, Tayla Fraser
FEVER | GS Jhaniele Fowler, GA Alice Teague-Neeld, WA Emma Cosh, C Verity Charles, WD Jessica Anstiss, GD Stacey Francis, GK Courtney Bruce
Reserves used: Sunday Aryang
Match Stats: View full match stats here
