Round 14 Match Report | Fever vs Vixens

Despite strong performances from leaders Kate Moloney and Kiera Austin, the result sees the Vixens finish in fourth position on the ladder, facing the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the minor semi final in Adelaide next weekend as the 2025 finals series kicks off.

Q1 | Fever 15–14 Vixens
With Rudi Ellis (2 deflections) taking the start on Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, all eyes were on the Vixens' defensive end and their efforts to fly for every feed and pocket ball. Moloney (17 goal assists, 35 feeds) was everywhere, working tirelessly with Zara Walters (13 goal assists, 28 feeds) who started strong against the home side’s captain in Jess Anstiss. The Vixens’ unit defence stood tall early, forcing the Fever to work patiently into the goal circle and not allowing them the first look under the post. Austin (22/27, 4 gains, 15 feeds) was on fire early, finding Sophie Garbin (28/30, 93%) with ease as she worked the baseline with authority. A few errors at both ends in an intense and physical opening quarter saw Fever lead by one goal at quarter time.

Q2 | Fever 34–30 Vixens
Walters’ influence didn’t slow as she owned the centre pass and hit circle edge smoothly. Fever found some momentum early and pushed the margin out to four goals, but the Vixens remained calm in their ball movement. A perfectly-timed tip from Austin saw the ball picked up by workhorse Kate Eddy (3 deflections, 1 pickup), and the Vixens found themselves trailing by just a goal halfway through the second term. A Fever tactical time-out saw coach Simone McKinnis inject Lily Graham into the game ahead of the power five, quickly landing a long bomb to keep her side in touch. Fever found pocket access with ease and got on a roll, which saw Maggie Caris brought into GK with four minutes to play. The margin stretched to seven goals, but two late super shots from Austin saw the Vixens close the gap to four at the main break.

Q3 | Fever 43–52 Vixens
The Vixens welcomed Ellis and Garbin back onto court, while Jo Weston (3 pickups, 1 intercept, 1 gain) swapped into WD for Eddy in GD, with both defenders able to perform a tagging role on Alice Teague-Neeld and Shanice Beckford respectively. With a home semi final on the line, the visitors looked to take the game on more in their defensive end, forcing a held ball early and Eddy and Weston contesting doggedly. The Vixens struggled to stay in touch while Fever took every chance under the post, Simone McKinnis swinging an attacking change with Garbin to GA and Austin to GS. A relentless Fever outfit continued to surge in front of a home crowd and forced some costly turnovers, pushing out by nine goals at the final break.

Q4 | Fever 71–60 Vixens
With work to do in the final quarter the Vixens continued to apply intense arms-over pressure, Austin banking another tip which saw her team score off a turnover early. McKinnis swapped Weston and Eddy back to their starting positions, while Garbin returned under the post and Austin came out to GA. In attack the Vixens were relentless in their pursuit of the ball, using their resets and re-offers to work the Fever defenders out of the contest. With Fowler-Nembhard’s influence difficult to overcome, Fever capitalised on their tall target under the post and maintained their 10-goal lead. Garbin came to the bench again as Graham was brought in to impact the power five, but it wasn't enough as Fever held steady and finished with a Fowler-Nembhard super shot to claim an 11-goal win.

THE NUMBERS
63 – Despite a disappointing loss, captain Kate Moloney and young gun Zara Walters stood strong in the midcourt, banking 63 feeds between them. The pair moved the ball seamlessly through the midcourt, and contributed defensively, registering gains and pickups on the stats sheet.

THE COACH SAYS
Simone McKinnis remains focused on next weekend's semi final, maintaining her side's loss to the Fever is a good opportunity to focus on some improvement areas.

"It was probably out third quarter that blew us out. I think our communication and connection out on court could be stronger. Those times where it's hard work, you've got to find each other and lift each other out."

"We need to get more ball and as a group we'll have a chat about that."

NEXT UP
The Vixens will travel to Adelaide to face the Thunderbirds in a do-or-die semi final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday 20 July.

ALL IN. ALL VIXEN.