Match Preview | SSN Round 14

THE MATCH

GIANTS Netball vs Melbourne Vixens
Sunday 18 June, 4pm AEST
Ken Rosewall Arena | Lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation

HOW TO WATCH

Can’t make it to the game? Tune in live on Foxtel and free on Kayo Sports Freebies (Australia), Spark Sport (New Zealand) or NetballAustralia.TV (everywhere else).

LAST TIME THEY MET

Round 3, 2023
Vixens (62) defeated GIANTS (57) at John Cain Arena

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Vixens will be feeling confident after their comeback win against the Magpies last week, weathering the storm early and keeping their defensive pressure relentless throughout the full sixty minutes.

Expect this battle to be fought with the physical intensity the sides’ clashes have become known for. Head coach Simone McKinnis praised the Vixens’ smart ball use through the midcourt in their Round 3 win; it will be up to Kate Moloney, Liz Watson, and an in-form Hannah Mundy to keep their connections tight from centre pass to circle edge.

Known for her shooting accuracy at range, Sophie Dwyer will be on the prowl again in the white arc, the GIANTS’ goal attack sinking six super shots in their last meeting. The Vixens’ defensive unit will need to keep the pressure high against Dwyer and goal shooter options Jo Harten and Matisse Letherbarrow, and look to restrict their scoring opportunities in the Power Five.

ONE TO WATCH

Emily Mannix famously snagged a match-winning intercept in the dying seconds of last year’s preliminary final between these two teams, and she replicated her impact on the match when they met in Round 3. With four deflections, three rebounds, an intercept and five gains, she, Jo Weston and Kate Eddy combined flawlessly to make the GIANTS goalers work for every goal.

THE NUMBER

1211.5: Jamie-Lee Price currently sits fourth in the competition for Nissan Net Points with 1211.5. Finishing her last match against the Vixens with 21 goal assists, an intercept and four deflections, she’ll face Vixens co-captains Liz Watson and Kate Moloney through the middle. Watson is hot on Price’s heels with 1082 Nissan Net Points to her name, and she’ll need to lead the midcourt effort and ensure that there are no opportunities for Price to get an edge.

WHAT’S ON THE LINE

With the rights to a home semi final hanging in the balance, the Vixens will be watching Saturday’s clash between the Swifts and Thunderbirds closely. Should the Thunderbirds stumble against the minor premiers, a win for the Vixens will see them host the minor semi final. If the Thunderbirds win, the Vixens will remain in fourth position regardless of other results and head to South Australia for the minor semi.

#VixensUnleashed