Round 9 Preview | Vixens vs Mavericks

Presented by WorkSafe Victoria

THE MATCH

Melbourne Vixens vs Melbourne Mavericks
Monday 10 June, 1pm AEST
John Cain Arena | Wurundjeri 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 1, 2024
Mavericks (61) defeated by Vixens (68) at John Cain Arena

WHAT TO EXPECT

The stakes are higher in any Victorian derby, and the Vixens’ new cross-town rivals have now settled into the competition with three wins under their belt – they’ll want to right the wrongs of their Round 1 clash. However, the Vixens are flying as we head into the pointy end of the season, and will be looking to consolidate their position in the top two.

The Vixens have stuck with their starting seven for sixty minutes three times this year, including the last two weeks where they’ve notched up strong wins, while the Mavs have used all 10 players five times. It’s consistency and control for the home side up against the unpredictability of the newcomers.

The Vixens lead in almost every stat, but the Mavs average more deflections per game. Kim Jenner snatched eight gains against the Swifts last week, so expect their defence end to disrupt plenty of ball. Hannah Mundy and Kate Moloney will need to be centimetre-perfect on the feed, particularly with former Vixen Liv Lewis covering Sophie Garbin. Despite both coming through the Western Australian pathway, they haven’t trained together, so this will be a tantalising match-up as the pair figure each other out.

While the stats tell one story, it can’t be underestimated how the Mavs’ win over the Swifts will have galvanised their side. But… it’s Hannah Mundy’s birthday, so you can expect the Vixens to rise to the occasion and give her another reason to celebrate.

ONE TO WATCH

Jo Weston has done an impressive job covering the void left by Kate Eddy over the last few weeks. Her height may not be that of a regular wing defence, but it certainly hasn’t been a hindrance – her tagging style and hands over pressure has made life difficult for opposition feeders despite not playing sixty minutes in wing defence at this level previously. She’ll come up against some zippy options that the Mavs have up their sleeve, but we have no doubt the veteran will put whoever she’s matched up on through their paces.

THE NUMBER

23: It’s hard to believe Hannah Mundy missed the first two rounds with injury, because the birthday girl – turning 23 on game day – has racked up enough stats to make her way onto the league’s leaderboards. The midcourter is currently fifth in the league for goal assists with 125, averaging 20 a match and causing a headache for defenders. Her strength on circle edge and connection with her goalers has been impressive this year and has warranted selection in the 2024-25 Diamonds squad. What a week for the birthday girl!

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