Super Netball: Melbourne Vixens shooter Sophie Garbin says they’re up against it in West Coast Fever clash

West Australian netballer Sophie Garbin admits her Melbourne Vixens have their backs against the wall against the all-conquering West Coast Fever in her homecoming blockbuster. Garbin returns to Perth to take on arch rivals Fever at RAC Arena on Sunday with her former side on an historic hot streak. West Coast have not lost since round three and their 11 victories on the bounce — the longest streak in Super Netball history — has already won them the minor premiership. The two traditional rivals meet in the very last game before the finals series. Garbin admits her side — who enter the clash as massive underdogs — will be up against it. “The main feeling is a bit of excitement. Fever being on their 11-game win streak, the odds aren’t in our favour,” Garbin told The West Australian. “We went over there last year, and we were able to get the win, so there’s a bit of excitement around trying to do that again. “Every week you have to go in thinking you’re going to win, but Fever have that massive target of Jhaniele (Fowler-Nembhard), we know it’s going to be hard to get the ball off her and that we’ll have to treasure every ball we do win. “There is a lot of belief. We didn’t have a great performance against them at the start of the year, but we know that our best netball can compete with them.” Fellow finals aspirants Adelaide Thunderbirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning will clash on Saturday night, meaning only one of them can join the Victorian side on 32 premiership points and grab the last place in the finals. But the winner of that game will pass the Vixens into third spot, given both teams have a superior percentage, so unless Melbourne can defeat the Fever in what would be the biggest upset of the season, they will cough up a home final. “We try not to overthink it too much, but I would love to have another week in Melbourne, and we know we have such a great fan base, we’ve sold out our last three or four home games,” Garbin said. “To get a home final at John Cain Arena would definitely be amazing and a competitive advantage for us, knowing the fans can be that extra player. “However, for us we’re trying to take each week at a time and not think too far ahead .”