Prelim Final Match Report | Swifts vs Vixens

The Vixens pulled off an incredible comeback to defeat the NSW Swifts by one goal (65–66) in a thrilling preliminary final at Qudos Bank Arena on Wangal Land on Sunday.

Strong performances from Sophie Garbin and Kate Moloney, and clutch super shot shooting from Kiera Austin, drove the Vixens to a hard-fought win, with minor premiers West Coast Fever now awaiting them in the Grand Final at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night.

Q1 | Swifts 12–15 Vixens
From the first whistle it was a physical battle in the centre between Paige Hadley and Moloney (35 feeds, 24 goal assists), with both Diamonds centres determined to propel their side over the line. An intercept within the opening seconds saw the Vixens break the Swifts’ centre pass, but a return serve by the home side saw the Swifts off to a flying start, stretching the margin to 4-1. The Vixens recalibrated, boosted by a captain’s intercept from Moloney, levelling the scores quickly. The Swifts brought some smothering defensive pressure, while the Vixens brought their usual patient ball movement, propelled by classy ball use from Austin (22 feeds, 16 goal assists) into Garbin (46/47, 98%). With impressive defensive efforts from Rudi Ellis (4 deflections, 3 intercepts, 6 gains) in the opening term, the Vixens took the first quarter by three goals.

Q2 | Swifts 31–29 Vixens
Both sides brought their best defensive pressure in the second term, as the Swifts levelled the scores within four minutes. The home side consistently looked to go long into Grace Nweke, her influence ramping up as they found momentum that became difficult to stop. Moloney continued to steady her troops on transition, while Kate Eddy’s (3 deflections, 1 gain) arms-over pressure gave Ellis and Jo Weston opportunities to fly, some crucial gained ball getting their side back in the contest. The Swifts forced a few loose balls and scored quickly, switching the margin to five goals in their favour, and Simone McKinnis made a huge call, bringing on young gun Tara Watson for her debut. The call had instant impact, Watson bringing speed and agility to open space across the transverse line and showing no fear to find Garbin cleanly at the post. Austin (12/16, 75%) landed a super shot to level the scores, while Helen Housby returned with one of her own to put the Swifts two goals up at the main break.

Q3 | Swifts 51–41 Vixens
The Swifts came out firing in the third, pushing the margin quickly to six goals. Moloney continued to push back in the midcourt despite the pace and connection of the home side’s attack unit, while Garbin used her holds and swings in the goal circle to bring her side some rhythm. The Swifts stretched the margin out to eight, after forcing several turnovers in the Vixens attacking end, and converting quickly. McKinnis swung the changes to offer something different, with Weston to WD, Eddy to GD and welcoming Lily Graham into GA to impact the power five. Graham sunk two super shots but was met with a relentless Nweke at the other end, nudging the margin out to 10 goals at three quarter time.

Q4 | Swifts 65–66 Vixens
The Vixens left themselves plenty of work to do in the final quarter, attempting to close the margin and gain some momentum. Garbin continued to do what she does best, using her elevation to be a constant option at the post and pulling in every feed strongly. The Vixens began to score quickly, bringing the margin to six goals with eight minutes to play, before the Swifts called a time out to halt the Vixens’ rhythm. The Vixens continued to surge, with Ellis contesting every ball and taking a game-changing intercept. An Austin super shot put the Vixens a goal up with three minutes to play, with every player in the navy dress giving it absolutely everything in the final minutes. The Vixens’ relentless defensive work rate, clutch super shooting from Austin, and strategic ball movement from Moloney, Walters, and Garbin took the game head-on, and with scores all tied up with just over a minute to play, they kept their composure and marched into next weekend’s grand final by just one goal.

THE NUMBERS
80: The Vixens’ attack end showed off their connection, with Moloney, Walters and Austin banking 80 feeds between them to drive their side home in nail-biting finish.
98: Sophie Garbin starred in Sunday’s preliminary final, missing only a single shot at goal, and scoring 46 at 98% efficiency. Garbin’s movement and strong holds against Sarah Klau were the difference in the final quarter, as her presence in the goal circle created reliable opportunities for the Vixens to score.
67: Tara Watson became Vixen #67, swung in by Simone McKinnis in the second quarter to bring some drive and speed across the court. The Victorian pathway athlete took the opportunity and displayed superb maturity on the big stage, playing a part in several scoring opportunities and working with Moloney to deliver clean feeds from circle edge.

THE COACH SAYS
Simone McKinnis was pleased with her side’s ability to fight back after being eleven goals down in the third quarter.

“I think they threw everything at it. They backed themselves … they were connected.”

“All you must do is get one little look in, or one turnover and that sparked them. It was exciting to watch.”

“It’s been three weeks on the road, but I am super impressed about how the girls have gone about it, and they have well and truly earnt the right to be competing in this grand final next Saturday night.”

ALL IN. ALL VIXEN.