Lightning secure finals appearance

Sunshine Coast Lightning beat the Melbourne Vixens 56-51 on Sunday to claim the final Suncorp Super Netball finals berth.

They will now join Giants Netball, West Coast Fever and the Queensland Firebirds in the post-season action.

Lightning finished fourth overall, booking an elimination final against their Queensland rivals the Firebirds in Brisbane next weekend.

Tickets are now on sale for Lightning members and will be available to the general public tomorrow (Tuesday).

The Vixens were brave in the face of a spate of late-season injuries and pushed Lightning hard (often literally) in the first quarter to claim a bonus point and a glimmer of hope.

But after losing the second and third quarters, Vixens' chance of making finals was eliminated.

Vixens refused to roll over though, coming within three goals of Lightning to the roars of approval from the 7143 strong crowd – after trailing by as many as 11 at one point.

Lightning were able to repel the physical front through strong performances from Caitlin Bassett and captain Geva Mentor.

But losing the final quarter 15-11 to the Vixens cost Lightning a chance of moving into third place on the ladder and a home final at USC Stadium.

The Vixens were forced into a big change before the game, with goal shooter and Malawi international Mwai Kumwenda rupturing her ACL last week and requiring surgery.

In her place, Kim Commane was drafted into the starting side, with a sense of deja vu after she was called upon by the Vixens in 2016 to replace Tegan Philip when she suffered an ACL injury.

As minor premiers, GIANTS Netball have been rewarded with hosting rights of the major semi-final, which will determine who goes directly through to hosting the grand final.

The minor-semi final is an elimination match, with the winner taking on the loser of the major semi-final in the following weeks preliminary final to play off for a grand final spot.

FINALS INFORMATION

Major semi-final – GIANTS Netball v West Coast Fever

#GIAvFEV

Saturday 11 August – 3pm AEST / 1pm AWST

Quaycentre, Sydney

Broadcast: Nine & Netball Live app

Minor semi-final –  Queensland Firebirds v Sunshine Coast Lightning

#FIRvLIG

Sunday 12 August 1pm AEST / 11am AWST

Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane

Broadcast: Nine & Netball Live app

Key dates:

Major/minor semi-finals: Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 August

Preliminary final: Sunday 19 August

Grand final: Sunday 26 August

Tickets:

Competing Club Members*: Monday 6 August, 9am – 5pm AEST

Netball Family Members: Tuesday 7 August, 9am – 12pm AEST

General Public: Tuesday 7 August, 12pm AEST until sold out

*Members with finals pre-sale entitlements

For access, visit supernetball.com.au/finals/tickets