The Sunshine Coast Lightning will learn if lightning can strike twice when the 2017 champions meet the West Coast Fever in the Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final at Perth Arena this Sunday at 1.00pm on Nine. 

The Lightning advanced to the season decider after beating the Giants 59-50 in the preliminary final at the weekend at Qudos Bank Arena. Lightning’s defence was electric, with international superstars Karla Pretorius and Geva Mentor too strong for the Giants, and with seven intercepts Pretorius clinched the Nissan MVP award. The Giants said goodbye to quality players Susan Pettit and Bec Bulley as they bowed out of the competition.

Though West Coast Fever have the home town advantage on Sunday, the Sunshine Coast Lightning have proved that you can’t underestimate the away team by winning their last two matches as the visitors.

In the lead-up to the Grand Final, Liz Ellis, former Australian captain and Nine’s expert netball  analyst, said: “After an exhilarating finals series, the Grand Final promises to bring exceptional skills and big moments as these teams produce a heart-stopping battle for the trophy.

“What a showdown. We’ll see one of the best shooters in the competition, Jhaniele Fowler from the Fever, up against Commonwealth Games gold medallist and defensive dynamo, Geva Mentor. 

“The Lightning have had a strong finals campaign and the Fever have had an extra week to prepare. The anticipation for this match-up is huge and I’m eager to see every player leave it all on the court.” 

Ellis will be joined by netball legends Sharelle McMahon, Sue Gaudion and Cath Cox.

Suncorp Super Netball will also be broadcast via 9Now, Telstra TV and the Netball Live app.

Fans will get all the latest news at http://wwos.nine.com.au/netball

For interviews or more information please contact:
Channel Nine Publicity
Clare Gibbons

Wednesday, August 22, 2018