The Melbourne Vixens are aiming to go full throttle as they enter the dangerous comfort zone of hosting a Super Netball grand final.
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See subscription optionsVixens coach Simone McKinnis is urging her side to stay hungry as they prepare to take on a formidable West Coast outfit on Saturday at Rod Laver Arena.
The Vixens booked their spot in the decider with a stirring comeback over the NSW Swifts, turning around a 10-goal deficit at the final change to win by one in the dying seconds.
West Coast finished on top of the table but McKinnis's side avoid the RAC Arena fortress thanks to Super Netball's controversial policy of selling hosting rights for the decider.
A hostile environment at RAC Arena went a long way towards helping West Coast undermine top-two side NSW, with the Fever pulling off a 77-45 semi-final mauling.
McKinnis won't let her side become too carried away, given the Vixens' season almost ended when the Swifts powered to a 51-41 lead at three quarter-time.
"We lacked a bit of dynamic movement and punch and attack at times," McKinnis said.
"When changing in the defensive structures, we didn't adapt well all the time.
"We've got to take what we have to out of this because up against a Fever, you don't get a second chance or a look.
"They don't give you much chance."
Vixens captain Kate Moloney, who played in the club's 2020 grand final win at Brisbane venue Nissan Arena during COVID-19, can only imagine the bonus of creating a fortress for a decider.
"It hasn't quite sunk in. That game, just the fight that we showed, I'm pretty exhausted right now," Moloney said.
"It's amazing that we get to have (a grand final) at home.
"The last grand final that we won was in a hub, and we didn't get to share that with our Melbourne Vixens fans.
"They've been with us this whole time. They've sold out John Cain Arena each week.
"It's an amazing reward for them as well, that we get to go home and we get the opportunity to hopefully go all the way."
The NSW Swifts were left lamenting what could've been after suffering straight-sets finals exits.
"We probably just looked a bit too far ahead today," Swifts co-captain Maddy Turner said.
"We probably saw ourselves already like, that foot in the grand final at three-quarter time, so again, another learning."
Australian Associated Press
