West Coast Fever have bolstered their chances of hosting a Super Netball final after rallying to overcome the Giants 61-60 in a hard-fought battle in Sydney.
While the Fever had a top-four finals berth assured, an upset win by the Mavericks over the Vixens in the Melbourne derby earlier in the day put extra pressure on a positive result.
The Mavericks went to third on the ladder on 32 points on the back of their first win over the Vixens earlier on Sunday, moving them into the box seat to host the minor semi-final.
Table-topping Adelaide had already locked in to host the major semi-final on Sunday June 21 against the second-placed Vixens.
If the Fever had lost they would have been looking at three successive matches in the east, as they take on the Vixens in the final round in Melbourne next Sunday.
The Perth outfit needed to win by six or more to regain third place on percentage and while they fell short, they will have another chance in the last round with the Mavericks hosting the Firebirds.
Last year's grand finalists West Coast trailed for much of the match but Jamaican sharp-shooter Romelda Aiken-George helped deliver heart-break for the winless Giants.
She nailed 14 crucial goals in the final term to help her team go ahead.
The Giants led 13-11 at quarter-time and maintained a 32-29 buffer at the main break.
After coming close in a number of games against the top four sides, they were eyeing their first win of season when Sophie Dwyer's two-point super shot took them into the final quarter leading 47-45.
But it wasn't to be for the home side, despite the best efforts of player of the match Dwyer, who finished with 22 goals from 24 attempts including three super shots.
"I really wanted to take a leadership role in the circle this year," the Diamonds goal attack said.
"I know that defence is something I've been working on as well so I'm glad got my hand to a few balls.
"We have to get to balls early when they have Romelda down the other end.
"I'm super gutted for us but there's a lot of positives to take."
