Inaugural champions of the New Idea Australian Netball League, Victorian Fury, have retained the championship trophy following a 14-goal win (46–32) over the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Brisbane on 13 September.

The Fury dominated the match from the start with Kathleen Knott and Karyn Bailey shooting at 100 per cent in the first quarter. They continued to overpower the AIS during the second quarter with mid-court intercepts and crucial rebounds from the defence end, propelling the team to an 11-goal lead.

Throughout the second half of the game the Fury maintained a 10–15 goal lead and a series of changes in the AIS side —  including Laura Scherian to centre — only narrowed the gap for a brief period.

The Victorians continuously took advantage of rebounds in the AIS’s shooting circle. Fury goal defence Kara Richards put notable pressure on the AIS attack players throughout the match, while Knott and Bailey shot at near perfect accuracy in all four quarters.

The Victorian Fury won the match 46–32, taking the trophy for the second year running.

The grand final was played as a curtain raiser to the Australian Diamonds v New Zealand Silver Ferns test match.

Shooting statistics

Victorian Fury:

• Kathleen Knott: 22/26 at 85 per cent
  
• Karyn Bailey: 24/26 at 92 per cent

AIS:

• Sophie Croft: 8/13 at 61 per cent
• Chelsea Pitman: 17/28 at 61 per cent
• Candice Adams: 7/11 at 64 per cent