West Coast Fever’s historic season has ended in brutal heartbreak as the Melbourne Vixens caused a grand final boil over, claiming a thrilling one goal victory.

The Fever went into the game as heavy favourites on the back of a league-record 13-consecutive victories and claiming the minor premiership.

However, they were unable to win the biggest game of the season as the Vixens came from fourth to win the premiership with a 59-58 victory at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night.

Down by five goals at the final break, Fever mounted a comeback to get within one goal late in the match.

But they twice coughed up a chance to level the scores and the door never opened again as the Vixens held their nerve to send off retiring coach Simone McKinnis in style.

Melbourne brought immense pressure and ball speed from the first whistle, while West Coast were uncharacteristically indecisive and wasteful until they found their feet in the final term.

Fever coughed up 20 general play turnovers to 18, while they scored from only 77 per cent of their centre passes, down from 85 in their last meeting in round 14.

Vixens goal attack Kiera Austin, who was named the grand final most valuable player, was outstanding with 26 goals including three super goals a well as 23 goal assists, while goal defender Jo Weston put in a defensive masterclass.

Fever megastar Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard finished with 52 goals, with the Vixens able to limit the amount of feeds Fever were able to supply the shooter.

The Vixens were physical in defence, with Weston getting a warning in the final quarter for her tactics as they tried to throw the eight-time league leading goalscorer off her game.

It was a nervy start with both sides making errors early, but it was Fever who got the first break as the defensive duo of Sunday Aryang (three gains and four deflections) and Kadie-Ann Dehaney (four gains and four deflections) began to have an impact.

As expected, it was a goal-for-goal affair early until Austin hit the first super shot of the game to level the scores.

Then Fever premiership defender turned Vixens defender Rudi Ellis (three gains) produced an incredible intercept on Fowler-Nembhard which changed the momentum of the match.

It led to the Fever being down at quarter time for the first time since round three, with the Vixens getting the crowd involved with a one-goal lead.

The pressure intensified when Fowler-Nembhard fumbled a ball out of bounds and the Vixens made them pay.

Fever were the first to blink with Zoe Cransberg replacing her twin sister Jordan in centre as they tried to find a way to improve their ball security.

They still lost the quarter by a goal as once again the Vixens finished the final five minutes strongly in arguably their best half of netball for the season.

The visitors came out with a strong defensive focus to start the second half, slowing the Vixens up in attack and it forced Melbourne to take a risk and bring wing attack Hannah Mundy on the court for the first time since round 11.

Fever again managed to draw level halfway through the term, but they were unable to keep their composure and the Vixens pounced, scoring the final five goals of the quarter to leave the home side on the verge of victory.

It was going to take Fever a perfect quarter to run down the confident Vixens, but an early turnover allowed the home side to push their lead out again.

Fever found another gear and with just four minutes to go Fever were within a goal, but they were unable to take two chance to again level the scores.

Even a late super shot from Fowler-Nembhard couldn’t get them over the line, as the Vixens controlled possession for the final 58 seconds to secure their fourth premiership in club history.