To beat the Fever, the Vixens must first beat their key weapon, writes EMMA GREENWOOD

FOX Netball commentator Sam Poolman has done something few in the sport have managed - nullify the effect of Fever shooter Jhaniele Fowler. Poolman’s efforts on Fowler in last year’s preliminary final helped the Giants into the Super Netball decider.

With the Fever’s grand final game plan on Sunday revolving around the world’s premier goaler, we’ve turned to Poolman to help understand how the Vixens can attempt to mitigate one of the biggest threats in the game.

FEARSOME FOWLER

AT 198cm, Fowler is the league’s tallest player and presents a big target for the Fever feeders, who do not necessarily need to get to the top of the circle to get the ball to her under the post.

But to dismiss the Jamaican goaler as a one-dimensional player is folly.

Athletic and powerful, she is comfortable holding her space in the circle or moving to the ball, while her shooting range is also expansive and she’s ready to take the super shot if needed.

“Every year I played, the window of strategy against her continually closed,” Poolman said.

“She was one of the first players I played on when I played for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2013 - and there was always that area of a play that you could potentially try and expose, whether it was an area of the court you needed to get her in, or strategically try and force her as far away from the post as you could.

“But every year she just keeps getting better. Now she’s not afraid to shoot the two-point shot, and defensively, she’s really hard to throw over when you have the ball. So the margin to beat her is very, very slim.”

TEAMWORK THE ANSWER

POOLMAN finished with two gains, including an intercept, in her preliminary-final masterclass last year - and an underwhelming 10.5 Nissan Netpoints.

But the keeper still dominated her direct opponent.

Much of the work was done out the front before the ball ever came near the circle.

“It’s the amount of pressure and dictating and denying contesting work that you can do out the front,” Poolman said.

“It’s always been the way to do it, I think. I’ve always been very much a team player, so I didn’t mind who got the ball.

“In that game, I don’t think I got any (major) stats, I don’t think I really touched the ball.

“It doesn’t matter who gets the hands on a ball, your aim is possession. Yes, the two-handed single intercepts are beautiful, and that’s what you want.

“But a massive win was a throw-in; a massive win was a step; a massive win was an offside because you’re still gaining possession and forcing your opposition to make mistakes.”

MANNIX OR LEWIS?

EMILY Mannix took a matchwinning intercept for the Vixens in the dying seconds of last week’s preliminary final against the Giants - part of an outstanding game from the two-time premiership winner.

At 188cm, she gives away 10cm to Fowler, but is likely to be given first crack at the champion by coach Simone Mckinnis.

The Vixens did not use defender Olivia Lewis at all off the bench last week. But the former Fever squad member has an intimate knowledge of Fowler’s game, having lined up against her hundreds of times in training.

Fowler has been held to less than 50 goals just three times this season - including in both regular-season games against the Vixens - where Lewis turned in outstanding performances.

The 23-year-old had three intercepts and a deflection in the Vixens’ round 4 win at John Cain

Arena, before coming up with four gains, two intercepts and five deflections in their six-goal round 10 victory in Perth.

“That’s a luxury the Vixens have is Liv Lewis there as well, and there’s nothing like coming up against your old team to provide that extra little motivation,” Poolman said.

“Her elevation is really good, so they do have a person that contests vertically on the bench.”

Poolman would start with Mannix. “Given last week, and where they’re at, I would start Mannix, but have all the confidence that you know what Liv Lewis can do for you at any time,” she said.

MIDCOURT BATTLE KEY

IT WON’T come down to just the defenders, though. Both teams’ ability to contest the first ball, dictating where and how fast it moves on, and denying the easy pass into the circle are the keys to winning the match.

While the Vixens’ dynamic duo of Liz Watson and Kate Moloney, along with wing defence Kate Eddy - who was outstanding in the preliminary final - will be key, the Fever has improved its midcourt depth since the previous time they were in the big dance in 2020.

“In previous years, I thought they only had one real solid centre at Fever. If you could crack Verity (Simmons), then whoever was at wing attack wasn’t as confident (feeding the ball to the circle),” Poolman said.

But in Alice Teague-neeld, who has been transformed from a goaler to a creative wing attack by coach Dan Ryan this season, the Fever has another key threat in the midcourt.

And at goal attack, Sasha Glasgow is both a strong feeder for Fowler and a shooting threat from long range.

The Super Netball grand final will be broadcast live on Fox Sports, Kayo and Kayo Freebies from 6pm, with the first centre pass at 7pm