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.
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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.
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
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)
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