Potential windfall awaits local comp as West Coast Fever prepare to battle Vixens in Super Netball grand final

West Coast Fever take on Melbourne Vixens for the Suncorp Super Netball grand final on Sunday and Geraldton’s Emma Cosh has given some insight into the key for success.

The Fever went down to the Vixens by a single goal in the 2020 decider and lost both games to them during the regular season.

But Fever stunned the ladder leaders in the semifinal by nine points in what Cosh described as their “best performance of the year”.

The Fever were under the spotlight after Perth was controversially sold the rights to host the grand final but Cosh said the teams’ ability to block the noise was key to their success.

“There was a lot of outside noise but we knew we just had to continue what were doing,” she said.

Cosh believes they are better prepared this time around as opposed to two years ago.

“Both personally and as a group we gained a lot from that grand final loss,” she said.

“That was the first season of the super shot and it’s something we’ve really worked on since then to use with our advantage especially with the class shooters we have.”

Cosh grew up and played as goal attack but transitioned into wing attack with the Fever but she has played both roles, which could be key come finals.

“It’s been valuable to be able to cross roles. There’s a few of us who have multiple skill sets and the ability to swing and change structure on the fly should something not be working is a great asset.”

It is expected to be a sell-out crowd at RAC Arena but there’ll be plenty of eyeballs watching across the Mid West region in what could be a huge boost for netball across the State, according to Geraldton Netball Association president Kelly Eastough.

“Netball is the highest female participant sport in Australia, and if Fever were able to win, this would be a huge achievement, and encourage young netballers to follow their dreams to the elite level,” she said.

“It’s very exciting for Geraldton and the Mid West region to have Emma Cosh part of the Fever squad, and this is her second time being in a grand final in two years.

“I’m very fortunate that I was able to get a ticket to the grand final, along with many other Geraldton and Mid West supporters I’ll be wearing green and black and have my extra loud cheering voice on. Go Fever!”

The grand final will start at 5pm on Sunday at RAC Arena and will be televised via Foxtel and Kayo Freebies.