The Queensland Firebirds will host the 2015 trans-Tasman netball grand final after accounting for Northern Mystics 60-44 in their elimination semi-final on Sunday.
The inaugural Australian Conference champions were too strong for their New Zealand counterparts, leading at each change.
The Roselee Jencke-coached Firebirds will take a 12-game unbeaten streak into their third successive grand final.
Skipper Laura Geitz said the side was determined to go one better after finishing as runners-up to the Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2013 and the Melbourne Vixens last year.
"We've set ourselves up in the best way possible... there's a lot of momentum behind this side," she said.
"Heading into the last game next Sunday and if we're in a close one hopefully a big Queensland crowd will get right behind us."
The grand final will be held at Brisbane's Boondall Entertainment Centre against either the Sydney Swifts or the Waikato Magic.
Geitz was at her dynamic best in defence against the Magic, earning seven deflections and three intercepts.
She was supported by Romelda Aiken at the other end of the court, with the star shooter finishing with a game-high 42 goals from 48 attempts.
Aiken and Gretel Tippett combined for a run of seven goals in the first quarter before the Mystics clawed it back for 14-10 at the first break.
"I thought we probably should have been up by a bit more at the end of that first quarter ... we threw a few balls away," Geitz said.
"We can be erratic in that first quarters until the nerves settle.
"But the fact we can dig ourselves out if they pull a few goals on us (gives us confidence)."
A 16-10 second quarter saw Queensland open a 30-20 lead at halftime.
With the margin reduced to seven early in the fourth, there were a few nervous moments for the 3,200-strong crowd but the Firebirds finished strongly for the final 16-goal margin.
Share
