Dana Johannsen: Crowning moment for surefire Vixens

Adelaide's Natalie von Bertouch goes on the attack against Melbourne during the ANZ Championship final. Photo / Getty Images

League organisers may have preferred the grand final of the transtasman league to have been a transtasman affair, but there can be no doubting the two best teams in the competition were the ones last night fighting it out for the ANZ Championship crown.

Grand final fever did not extend its grip to this side of the Tasman, with the all-Australian showdown between the Melbourne Vixens and Adelaide Thunderbirds barely rating a mention in New Zealand in the days leading up to the decider. And only the netball diehards in New Zealand would have tuned in to watch the Vixens romp their way to the ANZ Championship title, with a dominant 54-46 win over the Thunderbirds.

It is a shame, for it was a brilliant display of netball and no doubt Australian coach Norma Plummer will be rubbing her hands with glee when she considers her options for the international season.

The Vixens have set the pace all year - their convincing display in the final a reflection of that.

The manner in which they dispatched a Thunderbirds side that has overwhelmed New Zealand's top team - Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic - shows just how much work the Kiwi sides have ahead of them if they are to be a force in the competition.

Control, consistency and desire - all hallmarks of the Vixens' play this season - were on display last night as this well-drilled group, led by irrepressible captain Sharelle McMahon, set the bar for next year.

The Thunderbirds attempted to get under the skin of the opposition through some aggressive defence, but unlike the Magic last week who wilted under the pressure, the Vixens stood up to the knocks and didn't allow the Adelaide side to dictate the tempo.

The Thunderbirds tried everything to disrupt the Vixens' flow on attack, incurring a high penalty count in the process, but the home side were simply too efficient with the ball.

So while the Vixens celebrate a much-deserved title win, nine other coaches will have their notebooks out planning their assault on the 2010 season. Looking at the Vixens model would be a good place to start.