ANZ Championship netball finals guide: NSW Swifts v Melbourne Vixens in elimination final, Firebirds, Steel finish top

IT’S finals time in the ANZ Championships. So who made the cut? Who gets a week off? Everything you need to know about the netball finals series.

The Swifts high five during their warm up before their draw against Steel.

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THE NSW Swifts were the last team capable of ending the only undefeated run this season — but fell just short in round 14 when they recorded a 59-59 draw with Southern Steel.

As a consequence, Steel and the Queensland Firebird have finished top of the New Zealand and Australian conferences ahead of the ANZ championship finals.

These two teams have earned a week off while the Australian and New Zealand conference finals are held.

In Australia this match will be played between the NSW Swifts and the Melbourne Vixens.

The NSW Swifts secured a second-place finish and will host the Australian Conference Elimination Final.

The New Zealand Conference Elimination Final will be fought out between Magic, who secured second place on their ladder, and Mystics.

The Queensland Firebirds finished top of the Australian conference ladder.

AUSTRALIAN DETAILS

NSW SWIFTS V MELBOURNE VIXENS

Date: Sunday 10 July

Venue: Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia

Time: 12.18pm (AEST) (Doors open: 11.00am)

Tickets: General public tickets are on sale through Ticketek from 1.00pm (AEST) on Tuesday 5 July. Purchase online at www.ticketek.com.au, phone 132 849 or any Ticketek outlet.

The Swifts warm up for the finals series with a draw against Steel.

Australian Conference Final (1st v Winner Australian Elimination Final)

The Queensland Firebirds will host the Australian Conference Final, against the winner of the Australian Conference Elimination Final.

Date: Monday 18 July

Venue: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia

Time: 7.18pm (AEST) (Doors open: 6.00pm)

Tickets: General public tickets are on sale through Ticketek from 1.00pm (AEST) on Monday 11 July. Purchase online at www.ticketek.com.au, phone 132 849 or any Ticketek outlet.

NEW ZEALAND DETAILS

MYSTICS V MAGIC

Date: Sunday 10 July, 2016

Venue: Claudelands Arena, Hamilton

Time: 4.10pm (NZT) (Doors open: 3.00pm)

Magic's Courtney Tairi and Thunderbirds Jade Clarke jostle for the ball. i

New Zealand Conference Final (1st v Winner Elimination Final)

The Southern Steel will host the New Zealand Conference Final, against the winner of the New Zealand Conference Elimination Final.

Date: Sunday 17 July, 2016

Venue: ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill

Time: 4.10pm (NZT) (Doors open: 3.00pm)

Public Tickets on sale: 10am, Friday 1 July via Ticket Direct

ANZ Championship Semi-Finals

Two Conference Finalists from the Australian and New Zealand Conferences will qualify automatically for the ANZ Championship Semi-Finals. The two Conference Champions will host an ANZ Championship Semi-Final against the loser of the opposite Conference Final.

Round 14 wrap

Grettel Tippett in action when the Firebirds took on the Southern Steel earlier this year.

ROUND 14 QUICK WRAP

NSW SWIFTS V SOUTHERN STEEL

The 59-59 draw on Saturday eventually sent the NSW Swifts into this Sunday’s elimination final against the Melbourne Vixens

Patches of inconsistency cost the Swifts who were up by five early and down by the same number in the second half.

Stephanie Wood warms up before the NSW Swifts game against Steel.

Swifts Shooting Statistics

Caitlin Thwaites 29/31 (94%)

Susan Pettitt 30/32 (94%)

Steel Shooting Statistics

Jhaniele Fowler-Reid 50/52 (96%)

Te Paea Selby-Rickit 9/12 (75%)

MVP: Gina Crampton (Steel)

MELBOURNE VIXENS V CENTRAL PULSE.

Shooter Emma Ryde helped push the Vixens into the elimination final against the Swifts in the Melbourne sides 66-53 victory drives Vixens’ victory with an incredible haul of 52 goals

The Vixens overtook the West Coast Fever on the table to make it into the final with their third place finish in the Australian conference.

But there was bad news also with top goaler Karyn Bailey ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn meniscus in her left knee.

Pulse Shooting Statistics

Maia Wilson 36/40 (90%)

Te Amo Amaru-Tibble 6/7 (86%)

Ameliaranne Wells 11/13 (85%)

Vixens Shooting Statistics

Emma Ryde 52/56 (93%)

Alice Teague-Neeld 13/14 (93%)

Kim Commane 1/1 (100%)

MVP: Madi Robinson (Vixens)

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS V WEST COAST FEVER

The Firebirds took down the Fever 63-52 to end the hopes of their rivals playing in the final series.

The Firebirds showed poise and top form heading in to the business end of the season as they finished top of the table thanks to the win.

The defending champions will host the Australian Conference Final in a fortnight while the Fever now face an anxious wait to find out if they will continue into Conference Finals.

Action in the Firebirds v West Coast Fever match.

Firebirds shooting statistics

Romelda Aiken 49/54 (91%)

Gretel Tippett 14/18 (78%)

Fever Shooting Statistics-

Caitlin Bassett 39/41 (95%)

Natalie Medhurst 8/10 (80%)

Kate Beveridge 5/7 (71%)

MVP: Kim Ravaillion (Firebirds)

MAGIC V ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS

It was a tight one for the final game for these two teams with Magic edging the Thunderbirds 56-55.

It marked the last match for Thunderbirds’ Emily Beaton after she announced her retirement.

The to game was perfect preparation Magi ahead of their elimination a final game.

Magic Shooting Statistics

Paula Griffin 3/3 (100%)

Joanne Harten 40/44 (91%)

Ellen Halpenny 13/17 (76%)

Thunderbirds Shooting Statistics

Kristina Brice 37/42 (88%)

Erin Bell 18/22 (82%)

MVP: Leana de Bruin (Magic)

MYSTICS V TACTIX,

Mystics ended the Tactix finals hopes in this match with their 62-54 victory.

In a match highlighted by great shooting it was Maria Tutaia from Mystics who earned MVP honours.

Mystics Shooting Statistics

Cathrine Tuivaiti 30/32 (94%)

Maria Tutaia 32/36 (89%)

Tactix Shooting Statistics

Mwai Kumwenda 35/37 (95%)

Bailey Mes 18/20 (90%)

Gemma Hazeldine 1/2 (50%)

MVP: Maria Tutaia (Mystics)