The New South Wales Swifts team, which includes Cumbrian Helen Housby, are through to the Suncorp Super Netball grand final after their preliminary final win over the Melbourne Vixens.

Heading into today's match, most experts wrote the Swifts off and tipped the Melbourne Vixens to back up their dominant performance in the semi-finals.

But it seems the underdog tag is what is driving the Sydney team, who were revved up and playing for their lives from the first whistle in the 60-47 triumph.

The Swifts sold out the NSW State Sports Centre and left the court to a standing ovation. “This crowd says it all,” Swifts coach Briony Akle told ABC Australia.

Next Sunday, the Swifts now head north for their grand final against the Lightning at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Against the Vixens, Swifts goal shooter Sam Wallace was a stand-out performer up front, missing just two of the 42 attempts she put up at 95 per cent accuracy, while Housby, of Drumleaning, near Wigton, also played.

But player-of-the-match went to Swifts captain Paige Hadley, who played the full 60 minutes in centre and ran her heart out on the court.

Hadley said: “I thought our intensity in the first quarter was on fire, and our attack end really lifted from last week.

"Sammy Wallace really picked her timing, when to come out and when to stay in, and I thought her ball handling skills were awesome.

"She played a big role.”