The Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) 2025 competition is close to ending after a season full of ups and downs, with only one more chapter to go. As the Grand Final gets closer, everybody is looking forward to the preliminary final between the NSW Swifts and the Melbourne Vixens at Qudos Bank Arena. What started out as a hopeful campaign for both teams has turned into a dramatic, resilient, and emotional ride.
In this week’s Thursday Takes, we look closely at how each team is doing, how recent games have affected their emotions, the rising stars on the court, and the most important questions going into Sunday’s do-or-die game.
Swifts are looking for redemption after a terrible loss.
The NSW Swifts are known for being tough, but now they are facing one of their biggest challenges in a long time. Helen Housby, a star attacker, called their 77–45 loss to the West Coast Fever in the semifinals a “living nightmare.”
But this team has been through tough times before. The Swifts have been in this situation before and found a way to get back into the title race.
From 8-0 to not sure – a season of ups and downs
The Swifts started their 2025 season on fire, winning their first eight games and looking like the team to beat in the premiership. But momentum quickly came to a halt, and five losses in their last seven games raised questions about their form at the worst possible time.
Still, the positive news about Fever’s demolition last week is that the worst has already happened. Housby says it this way:
“It feels like we’ve lived through our worst nightmare… It feels like it can’t get any worse than it already is.
This mental reset could be a dangerous way to get people to do things.
A history of coming back from the dead
The Swifts’ history in the finals indicates that you should never give up on them:
- They lost the big semi-final in 2019, but then they won the championship.
- In 2023, they beat the Fever with a last-minute goal, but they lost a close final to Adelaide by one point.
This year feels like a place I’ve been before. Housby says:
“It does seem like I’ve been here before…” This group is eager to show what they can do again.
Coach Briony Akle has reason to believe that the Swifts are ready to fire again after co-captain Paige Hadley is back from injury.
Vixens soaring high with their eyes on the prize
The Melbourne Vixens are at their best right now. Their tough 58–56 win over the defending champions Adelaide Thunderbirds has given them a lot of confidence going into this week’s game.
The Vixens have gotten back into the swing of things by going back to basics, with a consistent starting 7 and clearly defined roles. This was led by their outgoing coach Simone McKinnis. That stability has helped them do well lately, and they will be a tough opponent this weekend.
Strong defence and strategic skill
The Vixens were extremely accurate against Adelaide:
- The Thunderbirds’ defence only let up four gains.
- They made coach Tania Obst change positions, which made Georgie Horjus go into goal attack much sooner than planned.
It was a masterclass in defence that showed how calm and strategic this Vixens team has become. They’ve become a team that does well under pressure and won’t give an inch because each player knows what to do.
Old enemies, new stakes
The Swifts and Vixens have been rivals since the league began. But this version makes things more urgent. Only one of the two teams can make it to the Grand Final, though. The Swifts want to prove that they are still in the running, and the Vixens want to take advantage of their late-season surge.
The Vixens could also have a home Grand Final, which would make things even more explosive.
Grand Final controversy: Will Melbourne host again?
The Vixens will have the home-court advantage at Rod Laver Arena if they make the decider, even though they came in fourth. This is because Super Netball sells hosting rights, which has led to more debate.
The Fever, who came in first place, won’t get to play the final at home, even though they were the most talented team. This result has caused fans and experts to question the fairness of the system.
You can’t ignore how dominant Fever is.
The West Coast Fever, on the other hand, have already made it to the Grand Final after destroying the Swifts. Their stats are scary and their form is unmatched:
- 57% of the time
- 28 seconds for each scoring play
- 18 gains on defence
- 13 goals from wins
The Fever are on fire, whether it’s Fran Williams’ three goals in 24 minutes, Olivia Wilkinson’s shooting from range, or Zoe Cransberg’s presence in the middle. They’ll be watching the match this weekend with interest because they only need one more win to win the premiership.
What Swifts must do to make diamonds under pressure
A few things need to happen for the Swifts to do well:
- They need to reset their minds and forget about the Fever loss.
- Get the most out of Hadley: His ability to lead and make plays in the middle will be very important.
- Contain Vixens’ structure: Stopping the flow and forcing turnovers will be very important.
- Early scoreboard pressure: They can’t let themselves fall behind again.
This team does best when they have their backs against the wall. They can do anything if they accept that identity.
What will happen on Sunday
You should expect fireworks. Get ready for intensity. Expect two sides that know each other very well. The Vixens have an advantage in terms of form, but the Swifts have something to prove and nothing to lose.
Important match-ups to keep an eye on:
- Housby vs. Weston: a star attacker against a strong defender.
- Hadley and Watson are fighting in the middle of the court, which could change the game’s momentum.
- Defensive combos: Can Klau and Turner keep the Vixens from scoring?
In the end, who blinks first?
It looks like the 2025 SSN Preliminary Final is going to be a classic. On one side, the Swifts, who are looking for redemption, are hurt but not broken. On the other hand, the Vixens are on fire and want to win their next title. And in the wings, a powerful Fever team is waiting for its next opponent.
Fans of netball is going to be happy no matter who wins.
