Sunshine Coast Lightning have won back-to-back Super Netball Premierships in front of a National League record crowd.
Lightning defeated West Coast Fever 62-59 in front of 13,722 at Perth Arena.
It was heartbreak for Fever who were looking to bring Western Australia there first piece of elite netball silverware.
"Obviously not the outcome we wanted but I'm so proud of the girls to get to this point," Fever captain Courtney Bruce said.
It was a record-breaking win for Lightning as they become the most successful netball start-up in league history but also become the second team ever across Commonwealth Bank Trophy, ANZ Championship and Super Netball to come from 0-3 down at the start of the season to take the Premiership.
Their run to the Premiership also saw them in a must-win end of season game to even make the finals series.
"I'm absolutely flabbergasted, I can't imagine to believe what we've just achieved this season," Lightning captain Geva Mentor said.
"I knew the competition was going to get tougher and it did, I'm just so proud of the girls out on the court," she said.
It's the fourth consecutive year that the national league trophy will reside in Queensland with the Firebirds having won back-to-back in 2015 and 2016.
It was former Fever shooter Caitlin Bassett who was crowned MVP for the Grand Final with 45 goals from 50 attempts.
Caitlin Bassett is our Player of the Match.
— 9Netball (@9Netball) August 26, 2018
Well done! 👏#FEVvLIG #SSNGF18 pic.twitter.com/wPhX8w03ej
However, there were some wary moments for Lightning after goal attack Steph Wood hit the ground after a knock off the ball and hobbled off the court late in the first quarter.
Scores were level at 14-14 at quarter-time and Wood was able to return to the court in the second term.
Heartbreaking. 😥
— 9Netball (@9Netball) August 26, 2018
Steph Wood comes off after an ugly looking incident. #FEVvLIG #SSNGF18 pic.twitter.com/fbcY3yVsAA
Fever shot out to a seven-goal lead after Bruce displayed gallant defending but Lightning cut the margin back to just three by half-time.
The third quarter was important for both sides, it were Lightning had picked up their strength and power during a match, and so they did and gave themselves a three goal buffer.
That margin extended to four before Fever swung the game their way, however, while it seemed the match was destined for extra time, Lightning powered ahead
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