Round 10 Preview | Vixens vs Swifts

THE MATCH
Melbourne Vixens vs NSW Swifts
Sunday 15 June, 2pm AEST
John Cain Arena | Wurundjeri Country

THE TEAM
Kiera Austin (VC)
Maggie Caris
Kate Eddy
Rudi Ellis
Sophie Garbin
Lily Graham
Kate Moloney (C)
Hannah Mundy
Zara Walters
Jo Weston

TICKETS
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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
Round 5, 2025
Swifts (59) defeated Vixens (51) at Ken Rosewall Arena

WHAT'S ON
The match will decide the winner of the annual Sargeant-McKinnis Cup, which is determined on aggregate scores of the sides' two matches each year. The Vixens need to win by 8 or more goals to retain the cup. Having won the first head-to-head in Round 5, if the Swifts win, or lose by fewer than 8 goals, they will reclaim the cup.

The Vixens are also celebrating Heritage Round, including wearing specially designed warmup tops featuring the colours and branding of predecessor clubs the Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Kestrels. The match also marks the Melbourne Phoenix 2000 and 2005 championship reunions, with athletes from the title-winning teams attending.

WHAT TO EXPECT
The Vixens are in form after defeating their cross-town rivals last week for a third-straight win, and are looking to charge towards finals after ascending into fourth spot. With the Swifts sitting a game clear despite their first loss of the season last weekend, the stakes are high for Sunday’s Sargeant-McKinnis Cup clash, as the visitors look to shore up top spot.

The last time they met, physical contests dominated the court, and a packed-out John Cain Arena can expect nothing less this weekend. At one end, Jo Weston and Helen Housby will square up for their trademark battle, while at the other, last weekend's player of the match Sophie Garbin will match up with Sarah Klau under the post. Round 5 saw a high volume of turnover ball from both sides, and this Sunday will be a battle of the cleanest ball movement - Kate Moloney and Hannah Mundy will need to attack circle edge and work in tandem to combat Paige Hadley and Sharni Lambden through the midcourt.

Expect the Swifts to come out firing. They can punish quickly with the 193cm threat of Grace Nweke in the goal circle, and Housby dangerous in the power five. With the Vixens' defensive connection taking impressive shape in the last few weeks, Kate Eddy, Weston and Rudi Ellis will need to bring last weekend’s work rate and hands-over pressure out the front to create opportunities in the air and combat the Swifts' attacking flow.

The home side will also be looking to stretch the Swifts' defence. With Kiera Austin and Garbin’s ability to connect and create space for each other, they’ll need to work their one-two's and screens to keep Klau and Maddy Turner’s heads turning. If Garbin puts up 48 goals again this week, and Austin continues her quick feeds and fakes, the Diamonds duo will hold their team in good stead.

ONE TO WATCH
After a superb first half of the season, Hannah Mundy will be one to watch this weekend as she takes on former teammate Sharni Lambden. The last time they met, the Vixens midcourter banked 29 feeds, 19 goal assists, 2 gains and an intercept, with her explosiveness and precision feeds making her difficult to defend. Her ability to dominate circle edge and time her pocket drives are often the difference when the Vixens win, and she’ll be looking to connect with Garbin and Austin under the post on Sunday to bring her side to their fourth victory on the trot.

THE NUMBERS
12 - The last time the Vixens took on the Swifts, the Vixens banked a combined 12 gains. Despite the 8-goal loss, the Vixens' full court defence stood tall - Austin and Ellis picked up three gains each, Mundy and Weston banked two apiece and Moloney and Eddy gained one each in an impressive sign of unit defence.

ALL IN. ALL VIXEN.
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