West Coast Fever skipper Jess Anstiss has weighed in on the decision to sell grand final hosting rights in the wake of her side’s heartbreaking one-goal loss to the Melbourne Vixens.
Since Super Netball opted to put a price on the decider ahead of the 2022 season, the Vixens on Saturday became the third side in just four years to claim the premiership in their home state after the Government pre-purchased the match.
This follows on from the premiership success of the Fever (2022) and Thunderbirds (2024).
Remarkably, on both those occasions the Fever and Thunderbirds would have hosted the decider based on their finals results regardless had Super Netball not put the match for sale.
In 2025, the hosting honours would have gone to Fever if based on results after their record-breaking major semi final win over the NSW Swifts.
Instead, the Fever headed to Rod Laver Arena for Saturday’s decider despite their record-breaking season that included 13-straight wins in the lead up to the premiership match.
And the minor premiers fell apart on the night it mattered most as they were outplayed by a red-hot Vixens outfit who were buoyed by the record 15,013 home crowd.
The fact the Vixens essentially got to host the grand final despite finishing fourth wasn’t missed.
When asked on their take on Super Netball’s decision to sell grand final hosting rights, Fever coach Dan Ryan remained silent, leaving his skipper to give her thoughts.
“Yeah. It’s a tough one to answer,” she said immediately after the 59-58 grand final loss.
“Obviously we love playing at home at RAC (Arena). Having earnt the right to potentially have that.
“We know that they sell the grand final now. Or due to sponsorship whatever it is that it would be in Melbourne.
“We knew we’d have to win away.
“It’s a bit hard it worked out it was basically a Vixens home game.”
The Fever had won seven straight matches at RAC Arena in 2025 and 11 of their past 12 matches at their home venue.
But Anstiss was grateful for the support the Fever did have in enemy territory.
“We had so many fans here – it was actually insane,” she shared.
“When you walked out and heard the green army – it took me by surprise.
“I guess, I don’t agree or disagree whether they sell it or not. But it would have been great to have done it at home.”
The Fever were the benefactors of the first-ever sold grand final, with the WA Government buying the 2022 decider before the Fever would go on to qualify for that match.
The only grand final contested between two neutral sides was the 2023 decider bought by the Victorian Government but contested by the Adelaide Thunderbirds and NSW Swifts.
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