Team Girls Cup preview

The Vixens will play three games over Friday and Saturday – with their campaign commencing against Queensland Firebirds. Another two games will follow on Saturday before finals on Sunday making for an action-packed weekend of netball for all to enjoy.

Head coach Simone McKinnis is looking forward to the hitout after taking on the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Traralgon a couple of weeks ago.

“Practice matches like Team Girls Cup are part of our training. The best type of training you get is under match conditions. We use these games to figure out what we need to work on, what we need to improve on.

“Each practice match you take out the learnings and that’s how you grow and learn as a team. You continue to work on things in between.

“I’m really excited about Team Girls Cup, that’s always good fun because all the teams are there.”

Friday – Melbourne Vixens vs Queensland Firebirds

Game 1 will see the Vixens take on the Queensland Firebirds in what is set to be a thriller. With new connections across the court for both sides it will be interesting to see how the Vixens and Firebirds match-up in their first meeting in 2022.

Keep an eye on the defensive end for both sides with newbies Olivia Lewis and Eboni Usoro-Brown donning their new colours. Lewis’ confidence will be riding high after a match winning intercept in Traralgon saw the Vixens steal the show but up against a new team, will come new challenges for the defender.

Saturday – Melbourne Vixens vs NSW Swifts

The rivalry between the Vixens and the Swifts will be reignited this weekend when we hit the court on Saturday. The long-standing history between the two clubs’ trickles back as far as 25 years and while this may only be a pre-season game, bragging rights are still at stake.

Former Vixens midcourter, Allie Smith has made the switch to the Swifts making for an even more exciting midcourt battle. With the likes of Maddy Proud, Paige Hadley and Tayla Fraser for the Swifts and Hannah Mundy, Kate Moloney and Liz Watson for the Vixens the midcourt stoush is where the game can be won and lost.

Saturday – Melbourne Vixens vs Sunshine Coast Lightning

The final game of Pool A will see the Vixens and Lightning battle it out on Saturday night. With both sides having already played two games it will come down to a matter of fitness with expected fatigue to set in. The Lightning have got a couple of new additions to the squad, one the Vixens know incredibly well in Jamaican defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney.

Having spent the past few years at the Vixens, Dehaney will be hoping to use her insider knowledge to get on top and in the heads of her counterparts. But the Vixens have a couple of tricks up their sleeve with Rahni Samason eager to impose herself in her first year as a contracted player.

How to watch:

Watch in Australia: https://netb.al/3BMhOGu

Watch internationally: https://netb.al/3C2M1Bn

Buy tickets: https://netb.al/3LVULxz