EMMA GREENWOOD examines how GWS Giants will try crack a notoriously stingy Vixens defence

ANYONE. Anywhere.

The Super Netball finals may not be following the path most predicted but results are of little consequence to the Giants, who are prepared to beat anyone in their path to return to the grand final.

While most predicted the winner of the minor semi-final would face a cross-country jaunt to Perth for the preliminary final, the Giants will take on the Vixens in Melbourne on Saturday after the minor premiers lost the grand final qualifier to the Fever.

Giants captain Jo Harten said her team was blinkered in its finals approach, not worrying too much about any opponent.

Having overcome an early Covid “road bump” and had to claw their way into the top four, the Giants are starting to see signs of the promise they showed as grand finalists last season.

But they’re not about to lift their heads and concentrate on anyone else.

“We only care about us and how we’re tracking and how far we can get towards the championship, essentially,” Harten said.

“Every team wants to get into the grand final but we didn’t mind who we faced (on the way there).

“We know you’ve got to you’ve got to beat all the best teams if you want to come out as champions, especially this year when it’s been so close.

“We maybe didn’t expect to pay the Vixens in this prelim but we’re just as excited to play them and it’s probably turned out better for us that we only have to travel to Melbourne, in terms of the logistical side of things.”

The Vixens and Giants played out a thriller last time they met, with the Vixens coming away with the points in extra time.

But the minor premiers were dealt a blow on Thursday, with Diamonds squad member Kiera Austin ruled out under health and safety protocols.

The goaler is a big loss for the Vixens, who are attempting to rebound from wooden spooners last year to premiers.

But they remain potent, with Rahni Samason – who finished with a recordequalling 10 super shots in last week’s loss to the Fever – coming into the starting side in Austin’s place.

Vixens defender Olivia Lewis, who joined the club this season from the Fever, said there was a real drive within the group to regain success.

“It’s definitely not the Vixens way to be down the bottom and I think that standard is something that I’ve really enjoyed and thrived in,” Lewis said.

“The expectation is to win and anything less than that is not accepted and it’s not the way we want to be – and there’s been a buy-in from the whole playing group to be back at the top.

“We want to be competing and when we pushing for a premiership.”

Lewis knows to do that the Vixens’ defenders will have to nullify Giants goalers Harten and Sophie Dwyer though – a tough task against two of the league’s best.

“They just don’t miss at the end of the day, which makes it hard for any defender,” Lewis said.

“And the super shot has been working in their favour all season, so that’s something that we’ve definitely had to think about a bit more compared to other teams.”

Harten is second in the league for both super shot attempts and makes this season, with Dwyer also adept from long range.

The English shooter, who was this week named as vice-captain of the Roses’ team for the Commonwealth Games, wants the ball in her hands at the crucial moment.

But it won’t just be the super shot that she and Dwyer will focus on, knowing they have to break down the defensive wall that Lewis, Jo Weston and Emily Mannix will erect.

“You want to play against best defenders in the world to really see how good you are,” Harten said.

“Against the Vixens, there isn’t any easy ball but it makes it more special when you do score a goal and you get the slice through their defensive end

“I’m a big believer in our attacking and actually using our brains, not just our physical capabilities and looking at defence and (working out) how we can move the ball around them, through them, for us to have a positive outcome.”