Match Report | SSN Round 13

Q1 | Vixens 10 - 14 Magpies

Meeting for the final time, the Magpies came out firing at John Cain Arena. Despite an early turnover from the Vixens, Emily Mannix (4 deflections, 5 gains) got the better of Shimona Nelson early, snagging a handy deflection to give the Vixens back possession. The game got off to a scrappy start, with Liz Watson (35 feeds, 96 NNP) continuing to be a workhorse in the midcourt, providing five goal assists in the first fifteen minutes. The Vixens defence was relentless, the pressure from Em and Jo Weston (8 deflections) forcing the Magpies to retreat in search of options. Kelsey Browne and Ash Brazill were made to work for their feeds, with Kate Moloney (3 pickups, 1 intercept) proving to be a menace around circle edge. But despite the early pressure and a super shot from Kiera Austin (90% accuracy, 4 super shots), the Magpies managed to break away to a four-goal lead.

Q2 | Vixens 26 - 32 Magpies

Em and Jo kept up their energy from the first quarter, combining for an early turnover to keep the Vixens in the mix. Jodi-Ann Ward showed why she leads the competition in intercepts, her defensive pressure combined with Geva Mentor’s physicality making it tough for the Vixens goalers. Em and Jo managed to outmuscle Shimona and Sophie Garbin, resulting in two turnovers which allowed MJ Kumwenda (34 goals, 3 super shots) and Kiera to find their rhythm. With the Magpies’ lead extended to eight goals, Hannah Mundy was brought on at wing attack, with Liz and Kate shuffling to centre and wing defence respectively. Hannah (9 goal assists, 2 deflections) quickly injected her pace and energy into the game, her feeds seemingly effortless as they found MJ under the post. Two super shots from MJ kept the Vixens snapping at the Magpies’ heels, with the team in navy trailing by six goals at the major break.

Q3 | Vixens 46 - 45 Magpies

Momentum stayed on the Magpies’ side as the second half began, an early intercept pushing their lead out to eight goals. Liz brought some much-needed confidence back to the Vixens attack, stealing an intercept of her own to fight back to a five goal deficit. Em’s excellent defensive pressure forced a turnover at the other end, Kiera snatched an intercept off the Magpies’ centre pass, and suddenly the Vixens had reduced the margin to just two goals. Hannah was spectacular in wing attack, flying around circle edge to open space for MJ and Kiera. The Vixens goalers proved their prowess in the white arc, sinking three super shots to level the scores at 44-all. With a minute left to play, Kim Borger stepped onto the court as goal attack to replace Kiera after a tough clash with Jodi-Ann. MJ sank a crucial goal with just three seconds on the clock, and the Vixens hit the lead for the first time in the match.

Q4 | Vixens 64 - 55 Magpies

With everything to play for in their very last clash, both sides came out firing for the final quarter. A flurry of goals saw the Vixens extend their lead, MJ standing tall and taking on Geva in the air. But the Magpies weren’t going down without a fight, reducing the margin to two goals as Kiera returned to the court. Kate Eddy (2 pickups, 1 deflection) made her way back onto court in goal defence, combining with Em to confuse space and disrupt the Pies’ connection to Shimona. The move paid dividends as the duo piled on the pressure, with a deflection from Kate enough to send the ball back down to the Vixens end. The Vixens’ pinpoint passing was on full display, as they sliced through the midcourt to find MJ under the post. Scoring 18 goals to 10 in the last quarter, the Vixens sailed home in the final Victorian Derby, claiming a 64 - 55 victory in front of over 9,000 fans.

THE COACH SAYS

Head coach Simone McKinnis was proud of her team’s performance throughout the emotional match.

“We knew [Collingwood] were going to come out strong, so I think we weathered the storm somewhat in that first half. Certainly we picked it up another level in that second half, so I’m really pleased.”

“It was tight, it was hard; to come through with the win - I was rapt.”

NEXT UP

The Vixens face GIANTS Netball at Ken Rosewall Arena on the Lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation next Sunday at 4pm. The match will determine the Vixens’ final position on the ladder as the Super Netball Finals Series approaches.