When: Sunday 5 August, 1pm
Where: Hisense Arena, Melbourne
Broadcast: Live on Channel 9
Effectively this is do-or-die for both sides with one finals spot available. Lightning are the defending premiership champions and have recovered from a slow start to the season to look ominous once more.
The Vixens were unstoppable after the bye round with five straight wins before a late-season wobble threatened to derail their hard work. This is almost a grand final in its own right.
MELBOURNE VIXENS (V Lightning)
- The Vixens reach finals if they beat Sunshine Coast Lightning and claim all four bonus points.
- They also reach finals if they beat Sunshine Coast Lightning and three bonus points, plus increase their percentage (Vixens are currently on 106%, while Lightning are 107%).
- To beat the Lightning on percentage, the Vixens need to win by five or more goals.
- They miss finals if they win but claim only two bonus points, unless the Firebirds win no bonus points.
SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING (V Vixens)
- The Lightning reach finals if they win, or claim at least two bonus points.
- If they lose but win one bonus point, percentage will determine whether they take fourth spot ahead of the Vixens (Vixens are currently on 106%, while Lightning are 107%).
- In order for the Lightning to drop below the Vixens on percentage, they would need to lose by five or more goals.
- Lightning will finish second if they win and claim all eight points against the Vixens and the Giants win only one point against the Fever, or if they grab seven points against the Vixens and the Giants fail to win a point against the Fever.
To guarantee that they make finals, the Melbourne Vixens need to:
1. Beat Sunshine Coast Lightning
2. Win by three bonus points or more
3. If they win by three bonus points, they need to beat Lightning by five goals or more
