Round 5 Preview | Swifts vs Vixens

THE MATCH

NSW Swifts vs Melbourne Vixens
Sunday 12 May, 2pm AEST
Ken Rosewall Arena | Wangal Land

THE TEAM

Kiera Austin
Ruby Barkmeyer
Kate Eddy
Rudi Ellis
Sophie Garbin
Lily Graham
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 11, 2023
Vixens (62) defeated by Swifts (70) at John Cain Arena

THE HISTORY

There’s something about a Swifts match that makes the wins a bit sweeter, and the losses sting a bit more. The intense rivalry of the two legacy clubs dates back to Phoenix/Kestrels days, and it's built on the passion, respect, and pride of the NSW-Victoria rivalry famous across sporting codes.

Simone McKinnis and Anne Sargeant were two of the greatest players to pull on a bib for their respective states – and the country – and both sides will come out hard to draw first blood in the annual battle for the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Swifts are coming off a tough loss to Fever in Round 4, and the Vixens will be fighting to remain undefeated after a big win over the Firebirds.

The Swifts’ shooting circle can do serious damage in the super shot period, so the Vixens will no doubt look to play a consistent brand of netball and remain disciplined in defence across the court to give Jo Weston and Emily Mannix their opportunities. Kate Eddy will play a crucial role in shutting down access to circle edge for the Swifts’ feeders.

Sophie Garbin returns to Ken Rosewall to face her old side the Swifts, her growing connection with Kiera Austin likely to play a key role in the result. Garbin and Austin will face long-time defensive partners Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau, and they’ll need to nail their timing and drives to keep clean possession.

ONE TO WATCH

There’s nothing friendly about the fire between Jo Weston and Helen Housby, which is always a battle for the ages. Housby was kept quiet against Fever last week and will be keen to turn that form around, with Weston no doubt prepared to put in the work to shut down Housby’s access to the circle and build pressure over the shot.

THE NUMBER

41: The Vixens registered their lowest penalty count for the season against the Firebirds with just 41, a significant reduction from the 66, 63 and 52 of the previous three rounds. They’ll want to replicate the effort across the court to contest while staying in play – alongside their lowest general play turnover count for the season with just 10 – to give themselves every chance against a formidable Swifts side.

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