Round 11 Preview | Lightning vs Vixens

THE MATCH
Sunshine Coast Lightning vs Melbourne Vixens
Saturday 21 June, 5pm AEST
UniSC Arena | Kabi Kabi Country

THE TEAM
Kiera Austin (VC)
Maggie Caris
Kate Eddy
Rudi Ellis
Sophie Garbin
Lily Graham
Kate Moloney (C)
Zara Walters
Tara Watson
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
Round 6, 2025
Lightning (62) defeated Vixens (50) at John Cain Arena.

WHAT TO EXPECT
The Vixens have found their feet over the last month, displaying a clinical brand of netball as the season closes in on finals. After defeating the ladder-leaders in Round 10 the Vixens will be burning with momentum, while the Lightning are coming off a disappointing loss to the GIANTS last weekend - they’ll be looking to redeem themselves against a well-drilled Vixens outfit.

The last time they met, the Vixens fell by 12 goals in a disappointing performance. Expect a very different Vixens side on Saturday, as they’ll be looking to bring their smothering unit defence and seamless attacking connection to UniSC this weekend to knock the Lightning out of third spot.

The Vixens' attacking end has proved difficult to stop over the last few weeks, with Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin working at their best together to create space and convert gained ball. With Hannah Mundy out with a foot injury this week, expect Zara Walters to step up and connect with Kate Moloney as they work to keep the ball away from the impressive reach of Courtney Bruce and Ash Ervin.

With Jo Weston, Rudi Ellis and Kate Eddy working tirelessly as a unit to shut down their last four opponents, Lightning’s attack will need to work overtime to make an impact. Liz Watson and Steph Fretwell can punish quickly with their ball speed, and with Cara Koenen's movement and Reilley Batcheldor's influence in the power five, the Vixens' defence line will need to stick to their game plan to shut down access to the post.

With finals positions up for grabs there’s no room for error. With Diamonds talent spread across every third on Saturday, strap yourselves in for an exciting Saturday night of netball.

ONE TO WATCH
Superstar defender Jo Weston has displayed some of her most impressive netball over the last few weeks. Even in the tough loss against the Lightning earlier this year, Weston was a silver lining coming away with five deflections, two gains and a rebound. Having taken out player of the match last weekend against the Swifts, with three gains, one intercept, three deflections and two goal assists, she’ll be one to watch in the back end should she match up against Steph Fretwell or Reilley Batcheldor. Weston can impact games quickly, and with her on-court leadership and relentless work ethic, she could be the difference to drive her team into third spot.

THE NUMBER
100: Kate Eddy will line-up for her 100^th career game this weekend. Beginning her career as a training partner for the Vixens in 2017, the 182cm defender had a stint with the Swifts before returning to Melbourne and finding her home with the Vixens. Eddy has been in outstanding form this season, working across WD and GD and racking up 10 intercepts, 21 deflections, 20 gains and 16 pickups.

ALL IN. ALL VIXEN.
Book your tickets for Vixens home games via Ticketek
View the Vixens’ 2025 fixture
Shop Vixens merch at the online store
Support the team with a 2025 Vixens membership