Super Netball grand final: West Coast Fever star Fran Williams opens up on rivalry with Melbourne Vixens
Fever players were put through a no-holds barred training session at the Gold Netball Centre on Monday, five days out from their tilt at a second premiership in club history.
Williams said it has them primed for Saturday's decider, which will be played in front of a hostile Melbourne crowd.
That brutal session came after another intense hit-out in a practice match against the club's male training partners on Saturday, which was part of a ploy to keep their routine the same, even though they had earned preliminary final weekend off.
Williams — the England national team captain who joined the club before last season — said the rivalry between the two sides was instilled in players as soon as they arrived at Fever.
'(There was an) extra spring in the step for grand final week,' she said.
'Everyone looked extra fierce and feisty and up for the challenge out there today, so it's great.
'We're going in all-guns-blazing. There's a real rivalry, I noticed that when I arrived at Fever, between Vixens and Fever and I think it's because they have had so many tightly-contested finals matches in the past and you kind of inherit that rivalry when you come and join the side.
'One thing we pride ourselves on is that our training environment is as tough as its going to get for us. It's something we know we can do to each other because we have got that connection and trust and comfortable relationships.
'We can challenge and push each other and we know we are doing it to bring out the best in each other.'
The Vixens' heart-stopping one-goal victory over NSW Swifts on Sunday afternoon in Sydney meant they earn home-court advantage for the clash, which will be the first netball match ever held at Rod Laver Arena.
More than 10,000 fans are expected to pack the venue, including a fleet of Fever fans making the trip across.
Since the Super Netball grand final has been put out to tender before each season, the Fever in 2022 and Adelaide last year have fortuitously held home-court advantage. Both teams won, but the Fever are out to buck the trend they started.
'I think just embracing it. How cool for netball that we are getting to play at an iconic sporting venue like Rod Laver and yes it's in Melbourne, but we know that the Green Army will be there supporting there in person... but also at home and getting behind us, you do feel the love,' Williams said.
'Sometimes when you go away our Fever bubble stays really strong and you lean in on each other even more.'
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