Melbourne Vixens

ANZ Championship Finals Series set to be a thriller

Two trans-Tasman Semi-Finals, two finals debutantes, one finals stalwart, a new Minor Premier and an intact premiership hoodoothe fourth edition of the ANZ Championship Finals Series has all the ingredients to deliver a classic three weeks of edge-of-your seat, world-class netball.

 

The 2011 regular rounds came to a dramatic conclusion last weekend, with the make-up of the top four who will contest the Finals Series only revealed following Monday nights penultimate match between the First Windows Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic and Haier Pulse.

 

After a close first half, the WBOP Magic ended up with a solid 60-50 win, guaranteeing themselves second position and a double-shot at their third Grand Final appearance.

 

The Queensland Firebirds had already locked away the top spot and the right to host the Major Semi-Final, after sailing through the season undefeated.

 

Third and fourth positions were filled by the NSW Swifts and LG Mystics, both comfortably winning their Round 12 do or die matches, against the Melbourne Vixens and Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel respectively.

 

Finals Series Fast Facts

 

         The WBOP Magic are the only team to have made it to every Finals Series since the ANZ Championship was established in 2008 they have played in two Grand Finals, and were runners-up on both occasions.

 

         This will be the third finals appearance for the Swifts.  After winning the inaugural title, they failed to make the top four in 2009.  They bounced back to win every regular round match in 2010, before suffering consecutive losses in the Major Semi- and Preliminary Finals.

 

         The Firebirds have had the perfect season, winning every match so far.  This will be their first finals appearance, after finishing fifth in all three previous ANZ Championship seasons.

 

         The Mystics are also making their debut finals appearance; they will be the third New Zealand team to have played in an ANZ Championship Finals Series.  Earlier this season, the Mystics became the second New Zealand team to win on Australian soil, when they defeated the Fever 56-54 in Perth.

 

         With the Firebirds and Mystics newcomers to finals action, seven of the leagues 10 teams have now made it to the Finals Series.

 

         2010 Champions, the Adelaide Thunderbirds, were unable to break the premiership hoodoo; they finished in sixth position, with just five wins from their 13 matches.  This is the third year in succession in which the reigning champion has missed out on a top four spot the following season.

 

         The 2011 title will be decided in the competitions fourth different Grand Final venue; it will either be held in Queensland (venue to be confirmed) or at the Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton.

 

Key Dates

 

Thursday 5 May	Semi Final general public tickets on sale from 9am AEST
Sunday 8 May	Minor Semi-Final: Swifts v Mystics 2.20pm, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
Monday 9 May	Major Semi-Final: Firebirds v WBOP Magic 7.50pm, Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
Wednesday 11 May	ANZ Championship All Star team announcement
Sunday 15 May	Preliminary Final
Wednesday 18 May	ANZ Championship Most Valuable Player announcement
Thursday 19 May	ANZ Championship Best Young Player announcement
Sunday 22/Monday 23 May	Grand Final

 

All Finals Series matches will be broadcast on SKY Sport (New Zealand) and Network Ten (Australia).

 

For further information, please visit anz-championship.com.