Sport

Netball

Jumping the net at the end of the match

Cherished moments: Linda Pearce interviewing Roger Federer.

After close to 50 tennis grand slams and a handful of Davis Cup deciders, a dozen AFL grand finals, Olympic and Commonwealth Games both home and away, Boxing Day cricket and a score of world championships, including various one-goal netball thrillers, this, for me, is the finish line.

Lightning aiming to create Super Netball grand final storm for Giants

Sunshine Coast Lightning coach Noeline Taurua and her players celebrate after winning the Super Netball major semi-final ...

Q: When is a home grand final not played at home? A: When you are the Sunshine Coast Lightning, and yours is what is quaintly described as a "boutique" 2200-seat stadium at Sippy Downs. Thus, for the purposes of the inaugural Super Netball decider, "home" for the Lightning is a 90-kilometre drive south down the M1.

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.