Fantastic Fever hit the road bound for grand final glory
It comes as Super Netball announced the decider was officially a sell-out, with more than 14,000 tickets sold in what is set to break the grand final attendance record set in Perth in 2022.
West Coast Fever flew out to Melbourne on Thursday morning as they prepare to take on the Melbourne Vixens in this year's decider at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Fever players were all smiles as they left in pursuit of their second premiership in four seasons having won a league-record 13 consecutive games on the way to their fourth decider in club history. Kadie-Ann Dehaney with a fan. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian
But none at the Virgin terminal were happier than Margaret and Jeffrey Byrd — dressed in their Fever merchandise — who were shocked when they walked into Virgin terminal to discover they were on the same flight as the Fever who they were going to watch play in the grand final.
Fever players stopped to take photos with the couple with Margaret determined to get a selfie with defender Fran Williams.
'I hoped because I'd seen them before coming to the airport, it's a stroke of luck,' Margaret said. Fran Williams takes a selfie with Margaret Byrd. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian
'We booked tickets when they first came out. We we're going anyway but it's awesome for them to be in the final,' Jeffrey said.
One player not on the plane with them is defender Ruth Aryang, who was sidelined for the season with a ruptured Achilles she sustained in April.
But she remains firmly in the team's thoughts, with players and coach Dan Ryan taking small laminated bag tags reading 'We Run For Ruth'. A 'Run for Ruth' bag tag on the bag of coach Dan Ryan. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ryan said they wanted fans to get around the game and enjoy every moment.
'Make as much noise as possible, as much green as we can possibly see around the city,' he said. Jeffrey and Margaret Byrd with West Coast Fever players Caitlyn Brown, Jess Anstiss, Sloan Burton, Sunday Aryang, Jordan Cransberg and Fran Williams. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian
'To all those that will be in the stadium there at Rod Laver Arena, we're going to need your voice, we're going to need your energy. So make sure we can see you and make sure we can hear you.' Jhaneile Fowler-Nembhard. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian
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