Super Netball 2025: West Coast Fever star Kadie-Ann Dehaney ready to finally step on court in decider

Kadie-Ann Dehaney is preparing for her third grand final in five years, but for the first time she is set to actually step on the court. Dehaney has been a pivotal piece in Fever’s incredible 13-game winning streak that has them on the verge of a second premiership in four seasons when they play in next weekend’s grand final. The Jamaican is already a premiership player, having been part of the Melbourne Vixens team that defeated Fever in 2020, but she didn’t play any minutes. And the 28-year-old also watched on as Jamaica lost the gold medal match against Australia in the 2022 Commonwealth Games despite being part of the squad. Fast forward to Saturday’s massive clash at Rod Laver Arena and Dehaney is set to play a pivotal part in Fever’s pursuit of a premiership with both potential grand final opponents in NSW Swifts and Melbourne Vixens having dangerous shooters. “I reflected the other day, and I was saying I am so privileged that I will be playing in this grand final,” Dehaney said. “I feel I will be more of a contributor rather than sitting on the sideline and giving feedback because in 2020 I didn’t play. “This is my third final in five years with the 2022 Commonwealth Games, so I am looking forward to actually going out there and contributing.” Dehaney conceded she was “50-50” on her desire to play in big games previously but was now confident she could contribute on the big stage. “I feel like that was so foreign to me because as a Jamaican we don’t really play in finals a lot,” she said. “It was a surreal moment, and it was 50-50 of whether I actually want to go out there or am I OK just on the sideline. “I feel like years after that I want to be in the final. Get the intercepts and the blocks on the shot.” Dehaney produced one of the finest performances of her career in the Fever’s incredible 32-goal win over the Swifts in the major semifinal last weekend. The defender was tasked with taking on star shooter Grace Nweke and she dominated the contest, restricting the New Zealander to only 23 goals in 40 minutes on court. “I feel the same way before and after. I don’t feel any bigger. I felt confident before and after,” Dehaney said. “Grace is a good and strong target, but it was for the team rather than an individual reward. “I don’t think it was one of my most physical games. I feel like there are other games that I have to be more on the body than this one. “I was told to be more off the body to try to confuse the space and get the feeders off, so they don’t know where to put the ball.” Jamaica have never claimed a gold medal at international level. That’s why for Dehaney and countrywomen Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Shanice Beckford, winning a Super Netball premiership together would be a special experience. “It is something to look forward to,” she said. “Out there it’s going to be a surreal moment actually us three Jamaicans playing in a final.”