Today’s cracking fixture between Lightning and Vixens has suddenly become tricky for both sides, with the Thunderbirds upset win over Fever last night gifting Lightning 2nd position on the ladder and turning this into a preview of next week’s 1st semi-final.

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So do both teams play their cards close to their chests to avoid giving the other an edge for next week!? A veritable coaching dilemma. Perhaps Jac Russell will get a full 60mins after announcing her retirement last night.

#SSNLightningVixens

Let’s not forget that in Lightning’s stunning single-goal victory over Vixens last year in R13, Russell featured in both WD and C at various points, playing a key role in scrapping for possession.

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And while Vixens absolutely buried the Lightning in this fixture in R3 this season, I don’t expect the sunny coast girls will capitulate like that again. Wood is now playing with hunger; and Maweni is career-best form.

#SSNLightningVixens

I expect that today we’ll see both teams purely ‘playing their own game’. Both will be looking closely with opposition analyst eyes for specific matchups and strategies to roll out next week when it matters.

#SSNLightningVixens

My feeling is that the result could go either way today, with a 3 goal margin.

Let’s revisit the last 30 secs of this fixture from R13 2019 (pre-gimmick shots):

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