Grand Final Preview | Thunderbirds vs Vixens

THE MATCH

Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Melbourne Vixens
Saturday 3 August, 7pm AEST
Adelaide Entertainment Centre | Kaurna Land

THE TEAM

Kiera Austin
Kate Eddy
Rudi Ellis
Sophie Garbin
Lily Graham
Emily Mannix (VC)
Kate Moloney (C)
Hannah Mundy
Zara Walters
Jo Weston

HOW TO WATCH

Can’t make it to the game? Tune in live or on demand on Kayo Sports or Foxtel (Australia), or via Netball Pass (international).

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Vixens face a monumental task against the reigning premiers on their home turf but after a strong performance in the preliminary final, they’ll be ready to lean into the challenge. The experienced leaders in Kate Moloney, Jo Weston and Emily Mannix have featured in nail-biting premiership wins and heartbreaking losses – expect these big game players to stay composed and step up in clutch moments as Mannix did last week.

Look to Rudi Ellis, Kiera Austin and Hannah Mundy to create something special – these Vixens weapons know how to punish teams and can wear down the toughest opponents. Austin will face an almighty challenge against the Thunderbirds’ defensive duo of Matilda Garrett and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, but she’ll lean on her ball speed and connection with Sophie Garbin to keep the defenders’ heads turning.

Mundy will be tasked with taking her backpack, Latanya Wilson, out of the match with her speed, change of angles and ball placement into Austin and their target Garbin, who will bring renewed confidence off the back of a brilliant prelim performance (36 goals at 95%, 110.5 NNP). Ellis thrives against tall timbers but will count on Kate Eddy and Weston’s grinding defence out the front to disrupt the feed into Thunderbirds goaler Romelda Aiken-George.

Coach Simone McKinnis has used her full squad of 10 just three times in 2024, and two of those instances were against the Thunderbirds. As the home side increases their intensity, the likes of young guns Zara Walters and Lily Graham may be called upon to shake things up, and with Graham’s super shot prowess and Walters’ lightning-quick drives, the pair will make their minutes on court count.

As the seconds wind down, any one of your Vixens could be the one to spearhead their side to the 2024 title – they've all proven themselves capable of taking on the big moments.

ONE TO WATCH

Kate Eddy played her first 60-minute match since returning from injury in last weekend’s preliminary final, bolstering the Vixens both in defence and attack. Eddy’s work rate on transition often goes unnoticed but is crucial to her side’s structure, and by working with Moloney and Weston to steadily move the ball down court, she gives her attackers the best chance of burning through the Thunderbirds’ defensive line. In defence, watch for Eddy to use her footwork and reach to make life hard for Georgie Horjus around circle edge.

THE NUMBER

2009: If Vixens fans are looking for a superstition to lean on, they’ll be comforted by the history on their side – the last time the Vixens and Thunderbirds met in a Grand Final was in the ANZ Championship era, where the Vixens reigned supreme with an eight-goal win.

JOIN THE HUNT

Can’t make it to Adelaide? Cheer your Vix on at our watch party or a live site!