Grand Final preview | Thunderbirds vs Vixens

In a fitting finale to the season, two of the competition's fiercest rivals will go head-to-head for the ultimate prize, with the Vixens chasing back-to-back championships after their 2025 triumph and a fifth national title in club history.

THE MATCH
Adeliade Thunderbirds vs Melbourne Vixens
Saturday 4 July, 7:30pm AEST
John Cain Arena | Wurundjeri Country

THE TEAM
Kiera Austin (VC)
Kate Eddy
Rudi Ellis
Sophie Garbin
Lily Graham
Emily Mannix
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, Foxtel or BINGE (Australia), or via Netball Pass (international).

LAST TIME THEY MET
Major Semi Final, 2026
Thunderbirds (58) defeated Vixens (44) at Adelaide 36ers Arena.

WHAT TO EXPECT
The Melbourne Vixens are one win away from history as they prepare to face the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Saturday's 2026 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final. With the premiership on the line, the Vixens have the opportunity to defend the title they claimed in 2025, securing back-to-back championships and a fifth national title for the club.

There is no shortage of history between these two sides. The Vixens and Thunderbirds have built one of the competition's fiercest rivalries, with every meeting producing high-quality, physical netball. Adelaide claimed victory in the Major Semi Final, but the Vixens responded with an outstanding Preliminary Final performance against the West Coast Fever to earn another chance to compete on the biggest stage of the season.

The Vixens' defensive unit has been a cornerstone of their success throughout 2026 and will again be central to Saturday's contest. Emily Mannix, Rudi Ellis and Jo Weston have formed one of the league's most dominant defensive combinations, consistently applying relentless pressure, contesting every ball and creating crucial turnovers. Their biggest challenge will come against Thunderbirds goal shooter Elmeré Van Der Berg, who produced a standout performance the last time the sides met, scoring 51 of Adelaide's 58 goals. Limiting her influence will be key if the Vixens are to take control of the match.

At the attacking end, the Vixens have every reason to be confident. Kiera Austin's creativity and pinpoint delivery have combined seamlessly with Sophie Garbin's strength and accuracy under the post to form one of the competition's most dangerous shooting combinations. Lily Graham showed just how influential she can be in the last meeting with the Thunderbirds, knocking down four Super Shots to provide a spark for the Vixens. Her ability to change the momentum of a game in an instant adds another dangerous dimension to the Vixens' attack heading into Saturday's Grand Final. They'll face one of the game's toughest defenders in Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, making composure and precision inside the circle more important than ever.

The battle through the midcourt will be just as significant. Led by captain Kate Moloney, the Vixens' midcourt group will look to dictate the tempo, connect defence to attack and provide clean, quality ball into the shooting circle. Their work rate, discipline and ability to transition quickly have been hallmarks of the Vixens' game throughout the season and will be crucial against a relentless Thunderbirds outfit.

The stakes could not be higher. Victory would see the Melbourne Vixens become back-to-back Suncorp Super Netball premiers after lifting the trophy in 2025, while also delivering the fifth national championship in the club's proud history. If the Vixens can produce the defensive intensity, composed attack and trademark team-first netball that has defined their season, they'll give themselves every opportunity to create another unforgettable chapter in club history.

THE NUMBERS
2 – A victory this weekend would see the Vixens secure back-to-back Suncorp Super Netball premierships after claiming the 2025 title.

4 – A Grand Final win would deliver the fifth national championship in Melbourne Vixens history.

ALL IN. ALL VIXEN.