Match Report | SSN Round 10

Over 7,000 fans came out to support the Vixens, who overcame a slow start to storm home in blistering form, keeping the Thunderbirds to 39 goals for the entire game.

Q1 | Vixens 11-14 Thunderbirds

The Melbourne Vixens started with a relatively fresh starting lineup for 2023 with Liz Watson in centre, Hannah Mundy in wing attack, and Kate Moloney in wing defence. It was a seesawing match early, with several changes of possession, and the Thunderbirds pushing out to an early lead. Kiera Austin’s defensive skills at goal attack kept the Vixens in the game, recording 2 intercepts and 2 deflections in the first 10 minutes. In the Power 5, super shots from both Mwai Kumwenda and Austin helped claw back the score from a 5-goal deficit. The defensive pressure of Jo Weston and Emily Mannix (both with 1 intercept and 3 deflections each for the first quarter) stopped the Thunderbirds from scoring any two point shots, ending with a Vixens 11-14 Thunderbirds score at the quarter break.

Q2 | Vixens 30-22 Thunderbirds

Emily Mannix came out firing in the second quarter with an early intercept and deflection shutting down Thunderbirds goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell. Mannix was supported by Weston (2 deflections for the quarter), followed by Kate Eddy (1 rebound and 1 pickup for the quarter) who made a rare appearance at goal defence in the last seven minutes of the half. Eddy proved immediately effective in the goal circle, with a rejection on the shot putting doubt into the Thunderbirds shooters’ heads. The Vixens took the lead for the first time in the game early during the Power 5 thanks to a Kumwenda super shot, followed by a critical Mannix rebound, and two more super shots from Kiera Austin. The stifling Vixens defence saw Cardwell sent to the bench in favour of Thunderbirds youngster Lucy Austin for the final minute, and the Vixens finished the half up by 8. Mannix ended the quarter with a massive 4 intercepts, 1 deflection, 1 rebound and 1 pickup for 51 Nissan Net Points (NNP) in just 15 minutes of netball.

Q3 | Vixens 46-29 Thunderbirds

The Vixens continued their form the previous quarter with Mannix once again on fire, adding a further 51 NNP to her stats for the match. The Thunderbirds held on for the first 7 minutes, until Weston returned to the court at goal defence and the Vixens put the foot down. Hannah Mundy (8 feeds, 1 deflection for the quarter) proved integral at wing attack, shutting down the in-form Thunderbirds wing defence Latanya Wilson and keeping her to 0 NNP for the quarter. The Thunderbirds had no answers to the Vixens defence, forcing a change in their shooting circle. A circle edge deflection by Liz Watson and super shot by Kumwenda saw the score blowout 46-29 at three quarter time. The Thunderbirds were kept to just 7 goals all quarter to the Vixens’ 16, who were up by 17 goals at three quarter time.

Q4 | Vixens 60-39 Thunderbirds

The Vixens kept their composure to push out the score further in the fourth quarter. The tightening Thunderbirds attack was no answer for Mundy’s consistent pressure out front paired with Austin’s sharp shooting and another defensive gain (4 in total the match). Weston was injected back into the game, and despite a heavily strapped shoulder, she recorded another 2 deflections (5 gains for the match). Watson continued in her consistent form with 43 feeds total. Mannix was named player of the match for her performance, ending the match with 11 gains, 8 intercepts, and 6 deflections for 120.5 NNP.

THE COACH SAYS

Simone credited our success to our ball movement, depth and balance on the court. When asked how we overcame Thunderbirds’ strong defensive unit, Simone stated “we found our timing, we had multiple options for the ball and excellent ball movement and speed.”

NEXT UP

Another home game awaits the Vixens in Round 11 as the competition celebrates First Nations Round. They’ll face the NSW Swifts in a battle for the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup on Sunday 28 May at 2pm.

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