The Queensland Firebirds will face the Adelaide Thunderbirds in next week's trans-Tasman netball championship grand final after defeating the Melbourne Vixens 50-46 in a thrilling preliminary final.
The Firebirds, who finished fourth in the regular season, kept their unbeaten finals record alive with their victory in Melbourne and now have the opportunity to win a second title when they face the ladder-topping Thunderbirds in Adelaide next Sunday.
The Firebirds were forced to fight off a frantic final quarter comeback from the Vixens after appearing well in control when eight goals ahead at three quarter time.
With their season slipping away, the Vixens changed their attacking combination to the quicker pairing of Sharelle McMahon and Tegan Caldwell and it had an immediate effect as they cut the lead back to one goal before the Firebirds steadied to secure the win.
