Match Report: Vixens secure minor premiership

A seesawing first term saw the Thunderbirds take an early lead as we worked our way into the contest. Kiera Austin shouldered the shooting load early as Shamera Sterling kept Mwai Kumwenda busy under the post, and we went to the first break down by 3 goals.

We sped out of the blocks in the second with a blistering 4-0 start, but let the Thunderbirds back in as Hannah Petty worked hard to disrupt our midcourt flow. It was goal for goal with a few lead changes in the super shot period and the sides couldn’t be separated at half-time (27-27).

A midcourt shuffle out of the main break saw Hannah Mundy come into centre and workhorse Kate Moloney swing into wing defence to nullify Georgie Horjus. Liv Lewis rolled on into goal keeper in a shutdown role on Lenize Potgieter, immediately causing a couple of turnovers.

We returned to our starting midcourt a few minutes in and steadied, but struggled to eat into the deficit the Thunderbirds had built – they got back out to a 4-goal lead and took it to the final break.

A couple of key pick ups from Liv and a timely intercept from Liz Watson, reliable as ever throughout, brought the margin back to one and forced a time out from the Thunderbirds.

Our midcourt stood up as the clock ticked down, Eddy and Watson’s trademark composure coming to the fore alongside a player of the match performance from Moloney. A clutch intercept from Emily Mannix and a strong rebound from Jo Weston steered us to a nailbiting 4-goal win.

Now we look to Round 14, where we take on the Magpies in the second Victorian derby of the year - our Queen's Birthday clash at John Cain Arena on Monday 13 June.