Round 5 Match Report | Swifts vs Vixens

Despite a gritty performance, the Vixens couldn’t get the job done in Simone McKinnis’ 200^th game, after struggling to break through a strong defensive effort from the Swifts.

While the Swifts continue their undefeated streak and claim the first leg of the Sargeant-McKinnis Cup, captain Kate Moloney’s determined performance offered a silver lining.

Q1 | Swifts 12–15 Vixens
The Swifts came out with suffocating defensive pressure all over the court, pushing the Vixens back to the transverse line to reset multiple times in the first term. The visitors responded early with patience and controlled weaving of the ball into the circle, led by Kiera Austin’s feeds into shooting partner Sophie Garbin (35/42, 83%). The sides traded turnovers across the opening term, both midcourts hunting down loose balls, while the Vixens managed to intercept a few floaters and started to settle. A three-goal Vixens lead quickly turned to the Swifts up by one before the Power Five, and all eyes were on the contest between Sarah Klau and Garbin under the post. With clear emphasis on careful and patient circle feeds from Moloney (22 feeds) and Hannah Mundy (29 feeds), cleaner ball handling down court in the final few minutes helped build a narrow lead and the Vixens went into the break up by three goals.

Q2 | Swifts 30–27 Vixens
Klau continued with her relentless defence, taking three early intercepts, which translated down the court for the Swifts as they managed to find Grace Nweke with ease. Rudi Ellis remained determined to contest every feed into Nweke, picking up a brilliant intercept as only two goals separated the sides with five minutes to play. A tactical timeout called by McKinnis was much needed in the second term, as elevated defensive pressure from both sides forced several turnovers and changes of pace at Ken Rosewall Arena. The Vixens sat at 100% goals from gains at half-time, assisted by Mundy owning the circle edge and finding her goalers cleanly. However, a few costly turnovers in the attack end saw the Swifts take their opportunities late, led by Helen Housby who made the most of the two-point period to push the Swifts ahead by three at the main break.

Q3 | Swifts 42–40 Vixens
With both lineups unchanged going into the second half, the home side came out firing looking for Nweke at every feed. The Swifts found their momentum, with Nweke’s influence growing which saw the margin reach seven goals. Out of a timeout McKinnis swung a change in the shooting circle, youngster Lily Graham coming into GA for Austin to offer some movement in the goal third. Jo Weston (2 intercepts, 3 deflections) had a significant impact, creating plenty of opportunity across the transverse line and acting as a constant reset offer against the Swifts; smothering defence. Two changes within the final four minutes saw Zara Walters come into WA for Mundy, and Austin to GS for Garbin, and the final quarter was set up to be a thriller as the home side led by just two goals at the last break.

Q4 | Swifts 59–51 Vixens
Garbin was welcomed back into GS, while captain Moloney (3 pickups, 14 second phase receives) led from the front with grit and composure. The Vixens looked to back in the first option to Garbin under post, taking calculated risks, and with 10 minutes to play Austin found herself back in GA. The change took immediate effect with clean ball movement between the pair as they attempted to close the margin. Soon after, Maggie Caris came into GK for Ellis to take on Nweke, but couldn’t seem to combat the shooter’s impact. It came down to the wire as Austin looked to do what she does best in the Power Five, but Nweke’s influence at one end and Klau’s at the other proved too much for the Vixens to overcome.

THE NUMBERS
78.5 – Captain Kate Moloney put on another brilliant display of persistence and composure against the Swifts' suffocating defence, banking 78.5 Net Points. The skipper delivered 22 feeds, three pickups and an intercept across 60 minutes in the middle, delivering well-oiled feeds into Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin and working relentlessly through the final minutes in a gallant attempt to drag her side over the line.

THE COACH SAYS
Head coach Simone McKinnis took plenty of positives from the performance, despite the result.

"I thought it was really good, hard, tough netball, and I loved our ability to just work the ball... we kept working to be in the contest, I think there was great resilience and strength out there on court."

"Lily [Graham] came on and did a great job, gave us some real punch and movement, and I thought initially defensively we were getting some great ball... there's enough positives from that game that we can be better for it."

NEXT UP
The Vixens return home to take on Sunshine Coast Lightning at John Cain Arena on Sunday 18 May. Round 6 will mark PLAY4BCNA Round, in support of the Vixens’ charity partner Breast Cancer Network Australia.

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