Sport

Netball

Giant steps too great for Vixens

Kate Moloney of the Vixens and Geva Mentor of the Lightning are all smiles before their semi-final.

Geva Mentor left Melbourne for the Sunshine Coast and a longer contract once the personal consequences of the Vixens' youth-focused intentions became clear. On Saturday night, the veteran defender nominated by rival coach Julie Fitzgerald as "the form player of the competition" will lead the Lightning into the inaugural Super Netball grand final against the rampaging Giants in Brisbane.

The secrets of the Vixens' and Watson's success

Liz Watson is rated by Liz Ellis as the best wing attack in the comp this season.

The first of just two losses this season for the Melbourne Vixens on their way to the minor premiership became a critical signpost in the pursuit of the Super Netball championship now within sight. It was round two, away, against the Sunshine Coast Lightning, and a six-goal defeat that vice-captain Liz Watson regards as the catalyst for much of what has followed.

Robinson hoping to have the Giants' number

Madi Robinson of the Magpies in action

The only numbers that concern Madi Robinson on Super Netball's inaugural semi-final weekend are the scoreboard digits she hopes will be sufficient to extend the Magpies' season for at least another week.

Consistently consistent, Vixens the team to beat

The Vixens are a well-oiled machine, consistently.

They consistently score more goals than anyone else. They consistently score more goals from their centre pass. They consistently punish teams who cough up possession. But can they win the Championship?