Round 10 Preview | Lightning vs Vixens

Hannah web
4 months ago

The Vixens travel to the Sunshine Coast in Round 10 to avenge their only loss of the 2024 season, taking on a resurgent Lightning side on Saturday night.

THE MATCH

Sunshine Coast Lightning vs Melbourne Vixens
Saturday 15 June, 7pm AEST
UniSC Arena | Kabi Kabi Country

THE TEAM

Kiera Austin
Ruby Barkmeyer
Rudi Ellis
Sophie Garbin
Lily Graham
Sharni Lambden
Emily Mannix (VC)
Kate Moloney (C)
Hannah Mundy
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).

LAST TIME THEY MET

Round 6, 2024
Vixens (57) defeated by Lightning (64) at John Cain Arena.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Vixens will be eyeing a chance at redemption over the Lightning, who are the only side to topple the ladder leaders in 2024. The Lightning are fresh off a win over the Swifts and are charging towards finals after a shaky start to the season.

There will be plenty of feeling in this match with former Vixens co-captain and Lightning stand-out Liz Watson leading the league in goal assists (232) and centre pass receives (236). While the Vixens build their game on defensive pressure, their tactics will be put to the test against Watson and the Lightning attack, who boast the lowest turnover rate in the league.

Last week Sophie Garbin was a force in the circle, shooting 51 goals at 91% – the challenge for new Diamonds squad member Ash Ervin is to capitalise on the few errors she gives away, though the in-form keeper snatched six rebounds last week. Paired with the likes of Courtney Bruce and Tara Hinchliffe, the Lightning defence pose a daunting challenge.

ONE TO WATCH

Kate Moloney will face a challenge in any of Lightning’s centre options, with Mahalia Cassidy, Leesa Mi Mi and Liz Watson each running through the middle at times this season. Moloney’s been the picture of consistency for the Vixens, averaging 32 feeds and just two general play turnovers per match, while Mi Mi (27 feeds per match) and Cassidy (1 turnover per match) have been solid performers. The Vixens’ defensive unit will be aiming to tag the dominant force in Watson out of the game, which brings Cassidy and Mi Mi to the fore as the alternate feeding options. If Moloney can smother them out of this match, the Lightning shooters may struggle.

THE NUMBER

129: Kiera Austin gained the league’s most Nissan Net Points (129) in Round 9 and will be up against team of the week goal defence Tara Hinchliffe, who registered 56.6 NNP of her own. Hinchliffe took three intercepts last week and four the last time she played Austin, but the goaler is playing crisp netball, with zero general play turnovers and seven super shots at 100% against the Mavs last week. The last time the Vixens travelled to UniSC Arena, it took a super shot after the siren from Austin to claim a one-goal win; her side will be hoping to seal victory ahead of the final whistle this time around.

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