2025 coach’s preview – midcourt edition

By Amelia Barnes

Head coach Simone McKinnis has made no personnel changes to the Vixens midcourt following career-best individual stats recorded by Kate Moloney and Hannah Mundy in 2024, and a standout Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) rookie season from Zara Walters.

Vixens fans will be excited to see more of Walters this year after the midcourter from Colac was ruled out with injury for eight games (Rounds 4-11) last season.

Walters’ lower back injury came after a remarkable start to 2024. The 21-year-old played the full 60 minutes in her first game, recording 40 feeds and 84 Nissan Net Points (NNP) – the highest NNP score for a midcourter in a debut SSN game (since NNP records began in 2019).

With Mundy also affected by injury at times in 2024, she and Walters often stepped into the other's shoes last season, but fans will be salivating at the thought of seeing both players on court more often and simultaneously in 2025.

Both predominant wing attacks, building Mundy’s centre game and Walters’ skills in wing defence have been a focus of pre-season, allowing more periods for Kate Eddy – who has held the starting wing defence position most often in recent years – to move into the circle.

“Zara has played in wing defence previously – she's played a lot there, actually – before moving towards centre and wing attack,” said McKinnis.

“She's got great speed and great cover at wing defence, and if we are mixing up what might be happening in the defence, then we've got to have that cover … She's been really impressive there.”

Walters played across all three midcourt positions at the recent Team Girls Cup pre-season tournament, finishing the three-day competition with the second most NNP (192.5) in the league in 123 minutes on court.

Mundy is also set for another strong year following time spent in the Australian Diamonds environment.

The 23-year-old’s steady progression over her four SSN seasons is reflected in the individual stats. In her debut 2021 season, Mundy played 721 minutes and made 292 feeds and 136 goal assists. With only slightly more time on court in 2024 (775 minutes), she jumped to 406 feeds and 242 goal assists (4th in the league).

“Hannah's just a real student of the game – she's always analysing and wanting to get better,” said McKinnis. “She’s very coachable.”

McKinnis said having both Walters and Mundy fit and available, and comfortably able to cover a second or third position, will be key to the midcourt’s success this year.

“We've got a great opportunity now… we can utilise them across all the different varied positions. We're going to have really good depth,” said McKinnis.

Captain Kate Moloney will once again lead the way with her professionalism, passion, and precision.

The 32-year-old’s 12th professional season was one for the ages, recording more feeds (3rd in the league, and the most of any predominant centre) and second phase receives (6th in the league) than any of her previous SSN campaigns.

McKinnis said it’s not her that motivates Moloney’s continual growth – those targets are personally set by the captain.

“Kate drives the standards, and she pushes herself.”

Should any midcourter be unavailable with injury this season, the Vixens have two training partners who can seamlessly step into the match day squad.

In fact, it can be hard to distinguish 19-year-old defensive midcourter Tara Watson from Moloney when on court due to their shared natural tenacity and strength (as well as a signature slicked back bun hairstyle).

Australian 21/Under squad member Ruby Shannon offers a point of difference with her speed, unassuming presence, and attacking mindset.

The Vixens begin their 2025 SSN campaign with an away grand final rematch against the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Saturday 5 April, 5pm AEDT.

See the Vixens at home in Round 2 against GIANTS Netball on Sunday 13 April, 4pm AEST at John Cain Arena. Book tickets via Ticketek