Despite a flawless shooting performance from Sunshine Girl Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, the West Coast Fever were edged out 59-58 by the Melbourne Vixens in a heart-stopping Suncorp Super Netball League Grand Final showdown at a sold-out Rod Laver Arena.

Fowler-Nembhard, the league’s towering Jamaican goal-shooter, delivered a masterclass, scoring a perfect 50 goals from as many attempts. She also drained a crucial super shot, added a rebound, and handed out an assist in a valiant all-round effort. Goal-attack Shanice Beckford provided steady support, contributing four goals without a miss and dishing out 10 assists in a dynamic offensive display.

But their brilliance was not enough to deny a determined Vixens side, who were led by Sophie Garbin’s 33 goals from 36 shots and a near-flawless performance from Finals MVP Kiera Austin. Austin, who has been clutch throughout the postseason, converted 20 of her 21 attempts, including two pivotal super shots that swung the momentum Melbourne’s way.

The result marked sweet redemption for the Vixens, who rebounded from last year’s Grand Final defeat to the Adelaide Thunderbirds. It also snapped the Fever’s record-setting 13-match winning streak. Fever, crowned Minor Premiers after dominating the preliminary rounds, entered the final as heavy favourites but found themselves outlasted in a high-intensity decider.

The opening quarter set the tone for a seesawing contest. Jamaican defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney, who ended the match with two rebounds and an intercept, imposed herself early, capitalizing on a series of Vixens turnovers to hand Fever the first break. However, Melbourne’s resilience was on full display, with captain Kate Moloney spearheading a fierce defensive fightback.

Austin’s first super shot leveled the scores, electrifying the home crowd and signaling Melbourne’s intent. A crucial intercept from Rudi Ellis in the dying moments of the term gave the Vixens the upper hand, as they edged ahead 17-16 at quarter time, igniting the Rod Laver Arena faithful.

The Vixens carried their momentum into the second stanza, extending their lead through another clutch Austin super shot. Fever kept pace through Fowler-Nembhard’s relentless accuracy, but Melbourne maintained a slender 33-31 advantage at the half.

A decisive third quarter saw the Vixens produce their best netball, surging to a game-high five-goal lead (48-43) at the final break. Fever’s spirited fightback in the last term, led by Fowler-Nembhard and Beckford, closed the gap to just one goal in the dying seconds, but the Vixens held their nerve to seal a memorable victory.

For Fowler-Nembhard and the Fever, it was a bittersweet end to an otherwise dominant season, while for the Vixens, the triumph signaled a return to the summit of Australian netball.