Match Report | GIANTS vs Vixens

The Vixens took to the court with their full squad of 10 for the first time this season, with midcourter Hannah Mundy returning from a quad injury that kept her out of the first two rounds.

Every player managed court time, including Vixen #65 Lily Graham who made her debut in the third quarter.

Player of the match Emily Mannix had a field day, picking up 11 gains, six intercepts and seven deflections for the match – pivotal in the strong first half from the Vixens.

Q1 | GIANTS 6–16 Vixens

It was a tight marking and physical contest from the outset, with turnovers riddling the opening minutes for both sides.

Defence was in control of the game, with Jo Weston’s tagging style and Kate Eddy's work rate putting pressure on the GIANTS’ feeders and forcing turnovers early, while Mannix was on fire with two intercepts and five deflections for the first term.

The matchup of the game was on from the first whistle with Kate Moloney and Jamie-Lee Price body on body down the court. Supporting Moloney was Zara Walters who earned another start for just her third SSN game. She was often double-teamed on the centre pass but held her ground against Silver Fern Sam Winders.

Q2 | GIANTS 14–31 Vixens

The Sophie Garbin / Kiera Austin combination continued to shine with a moving circle that caused headaches for Jodi-Ann Ward and Tilly McDonell. Up the court, Vixens fans have become used to Austin’s defensive work, and true to form she picked up two intercepts and two deflections for the quarter.

Eddy was a workhorse in defence keeping Chelsea Pitman and Sophie Dwyer off circle edge, creating opportunities in the air for Weston and Mannix and presenting as an option down the court in attack.

Momentum went the Vixens’ way until a timeout was called by the GIANTS, forcing them to make some big changes. Jo Harten was out to GA and Matisse Letherbarrow came onto GS which caused some instability for the Vixens who had been in control for the match. A quick timeout from Simone McKinnis to regroup helped her side come back to basics and finish off the quarter ahead.

Q3 | GIANTS 29–48 Vixens

GIANTS put up a challenge in the third quarter, keeping the scoreline tight at 15-17.

Lily Graham made her SSN debut and became Vixen #65 when she entered the court out of the break. The 18-year-old Victorian pathway product was signed as a replacement player for the pregnant Mwai Kumwenda.

Mundy took to the court for the first time this season, injecting power and speed into the attacking end, working well with Moloney and the goalers to maintain control, while at the other end, the physicality between Weston and Harten stepped up a notch.

Q4 | GIANTS 44–63 Vixens

Austin returned to the court for the final term, with the team determined not to drop the margin after a fightback from the GIANTS.

Mundy continued to find rhythm and connection from up the court to circle edge, managing eight goal assists of the 15 scored for the quarter.

By the end of the fourth, all players had taken to the court, with Rudi Ellis coming on to GK in the final minutes which saw Mannix move out to GD. Ellis made an immediate impact with two gains, one intercept and one deflection to her name.

THE NUMBERS

• 123: Player of the match Emily Mannix racked up the numbers, finishing with 123 Nissan Net Points – over 50 points ahead of the next best on court. Mannix dominated in the defensive third, finishing with 11 gains, six intercepts and seven deflections for the match.
• 16: Hannah Mundy returned to the court after halftime for the first time this season and played her role for the half. The midcourter delivered 16 goal assists, the most of any Vixen on court.

THE COACH SAYS

Head coach Simone McKinnis was impressed with her side’s efforts.

“Today was the most consistent performance that we’ve put out, but even so, there’s still work to be done. Really happy with three wins, but there’s still a long way to go and a lot of work to do.”

“It was a big occasion for Hannah [to come on after injury] and she did super well. She was strong, dominant and had good movement. She settled into it, and it was great to see her out there.”

NEXT UP

The Vixens return home to host Inclusion Round, taking on the Queensland Firebirds at John Cain Arena on Sunday 5 May. Tickets are available now via Ticketek.

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