Mickey Mouse and friends freeze Super Netball finals out of prime venue

The question needs to be asked, how can netball secure better finals venues? (Getty Images: Graham Denholm)

In the penultimate round of the Super Netball season, the top four were locked in.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds' success at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday, 66-60, saw them secure the minor premiership and knock the NSW Swifts out of finals contention.

We now know the Thunderbirds will host the major semifinal on Sunday June 21, but they've been shut out of their home venue for the important game.

The Queensland Firebirds also put a line through the Sunshine Coast Lightning's chances on Saturday with a 66-59 victory in Brisbane as they clinched the Queensland Cup.

The Mavericks beat the Vixens for the very first time in the Melbourne Derby on Sunday, 59-50. It's taken them three years to outplay their cross-town rivals and claim a finals spot.

Not only did they win but they improved their for and against goal percentage to leapfrog into third position and put themselves in the hot seat to host the minor semifinal.

The last game of the round saw the Giants get pipped by the West Coast Fever in Sydney, 61-60. It's not often you see Player of the Match awarded to someone from the losing side but Aussie Diamonds goal attack Sophie Dwyer had her best game in a long time, nailing 19 goals and three super shots at 92 per cent.

If you missed it, don't worry — we'll get you up to speed with our Super Netball round-up.

Does netball need to rethink its planning for finals venues?

Many fans are sure to miss out on finals tickets because the largest indoor venues in the southern states are unavailable.

Disney on Ice will take place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre across the semifinals weekend from June 19–June 21 before the tour heads to Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on the grand final weekend from July 2–July 6.

Rod Laver Arena holds the record for the best Super Netball crowd after the 2025 grand final. (Getty Images: Graham Denholm)

This means the Thunderbirds have been shut out of their regular stadium and will instead need to play the major semifinal at the Adelaide 36ers Arena, housing roughly 2,000 fewer people.

It also shuts down the opportunity to repeat the success of last year's record grand final crowd of 15,013. The deciding match will be held at John Cain Arena with about 5,000 fewer seats.

Demonstrating how much of a hot commodity these tickets will be is the fact that the Vixens are already at full capacity here week-to-week during the regular season.

During the home and away fixtures, hosting responsibilities lie with the clubs.