Pressure on Giants in netball semi-final

West Coast Fever captain Courtney Bruce says they have nothing to lose as they attempt to upset the Giants in Saturday's major semi-final in Sydney.

West Coast Fever captain Courtney Bruce believes the bulk of the pressure will be on the Giants when the netball heavyweights lock horns in Saturday's major semi-final in Sydney.

The Fever sat on top of the Super Netball table for almost the entire season, but were pipped for the minor premiership in the final round when they lost to the Giants by three goals last week.

That result means the Giants will have home-court advantage against the Fever this Saturday, with the winner earning hosting rights for the grand final.

The loser will host either the Lightning or Firebirds in next week's preliminary final.

The Giants will start as warm favourites on their home court and Bruce said it meant the Fever can fly under the radar.

"We've probably gone from the ones being hunted to now getting to hunt the Giants," Bruce said.

"No one's necessarily chasing us anymore, we're the ones doing the chasing.

"I think that changes the mindset a bit. I think the pressure is on the Giants to perform.

"We've literally got nothing to lose. We can just go there and play our best brand of netball."

The Fever are still sweating on the fitness of star midcourter Verity Charles, who injured her left knee in the final minute of last week's loss.

Scans have cleared Charles of an ACL tear, but she's unlikely to face the Giants.

Shannon Eagland is set to earn a call-up to the starting line-up in place of Charles.

The Fever have only played one previous final in their history - a 60-53 loss to the NSW Swifts three years ago.

Bruce was just a baby-faced role player on the bench at that time.

But she has evolved into one of the team's most critical players since then, ranking third in the league for intercepts this season.

Star goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler also looms as critical to the Fever's title chances.

Fowler finished the regular season with 783 goals - a whopping 208 goals ahead of her nearest rival (Romelda Aiken, 575 goals).


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Source: AAP

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Pressure on Giants in netball semi-final | SBS News