THE second season of Super Netball is set for a thrilling finish after it produced arguably some of the best netball ever seen.
There was controversy with certain rule changes, shooting records smashed, the emergence of a new group of Diamonds youngsters and news of the retirements of two greats of the game in Sharni Layton and Susan Pettitt.
Now we take a look at what’s ahead for the teams who make the cut for the finals series.
THE SEMI-FINALS
And then there were four.
At the end of an extraordinary season, four team reigned supreme in the top netball competition in the world.
It took the final round to decide the makeup of the semi-finals and what a round it was.
The team which had sat atop the league ladder for most of the season was toppled when the Giants beat West Coast Fever.
And two of the sports biggest rivals – the Firebirds and Lightning – both qualified for the semi-finals.
RE-SIGNED: Swifts trio stay put
BIG TASK: Giant quest for home Grand Final
FAST FACTS
Major semi-final:
August 11, 3pm
Giants v West Coast Fever
Quaycentre, Sydney
Broadcast: Nine.
Minor semi-final
August 12, 1pm
Queensland Firebirds v Sunshine Coast Lightning
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
Broadcast: Nine
MINOR PREMIERS
That would be the Giants, who survived a stirring comeback from West Coast Fever to claim the minor premiership.
The Kim Green lead Giants had actually been trailing Fever on the scoreboard for most of the season.
But their three points win in the final round secured them the title.
EMOTIONAL: Sam Bremner ‘living a dream’ with Dragons.
FAREWELL: Susan Pettitt to call it quits
COMPETITION LADDER AT END OF THE REGULAR SEASON
Giants, Fever, Firebirds, Lightning, Vixens, Swifts, Magpies, Thunderbirds.
WHAT THE? Bunny ban almost cost this big name
THE WOODEN SPOON
Adelaide Thunderbird went through the season without a single win.
They were the only team to take a win off rivals.
WHAT’S AHEAD
Preliminary final: Sunday August 19
Grand Final: Sunday August 26.
