Round 13 Preview | Vixens vs Fever

Presented by Deakin

THE MATCH

Melbourne Vixens vs West Coast Fever
Sunday 7 July, 2pm AEST
John Cain Arena | Wurundjeri Country

THE TEAM

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

LAST TIME THEY MET

Round 7, 2024
Fever (65) defeated by Vixens (76) at RAC Arena

WHAT TO EXPECT

The top spot on the ladder is on the line with Fever sitting just one win behind the Vixens, and on equal points to the Adelaide Thunderbirds. The Perth side will be hungrier than ever for a victory, but for the Vixens, Sunday’s blockbuster is a chance to put breathing room between them and the rest of the competition.

The Vixens dominated their last encounter against Fever – a finely tuned and unchanged lineup collected 11 intercepts across the court, and they’ll be keen to replicate their whole-team defensive effort which was key to stifling the impact of Fever target Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.

Coach Simone McKinnis will no doubt have taken learnings from last week’s loss to the Thunderbirds and will make tweaks to build momentum into finals. Zara Walters was a standout in her return game, the wing attack’s potential matchup against Fever captain Jess Anstiss a ripe opportunity to reclaim her elite form after a significant period on the sidelines. Reconnecting with Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin in goals, and working her combinations through the midcourt, will be paramount against a versatile Fever defence.

ONE TO WATCH

After a blistering outing in wing attack for Fever last week, the question looms over who McKinnis will enlist as Alice Teague-Neeld’s backpack. The wing attack amounted 47 feeds, 36 goal assists and 100.5 Nissan Net Points against the GIANTS – Jo Weston is no stranger to tagging her opponent out of a match and reduced Teague-Neeld to having half the impact on the stats sheet the last time they played.

Kate Eddy provides another versatile option in her return from injury, and donning the WD bib would allow Weston to rejoin the circle where she’ll need to use her footwork to disrupt the partnership of Shanice Beckford and Fowler-Nembhard.

THE NUMBER

4: The Vixens have stuck with their starting seven players on four occasions this year, while Fever is yet to play their starting seven for a full 60 minutes. Fever has used its full team in almost every match (11 occasions) while the Vixens have done so just twice. Consistency is the key for the home side – they’ll need to adjust to every combination coach Dan Ryan throws at them, however, as Kate Eddy and Zara Walters rejoin the squad, the Vixens may be even more dynamic than recent weeks.