Round 9 Match Report | Vixens vs Mavericks

Breaking their home crowd record (9041) and claiming their third win on the trot, the Vixens have come away with an impressive result over the Mavericks, making it four from four in Melbourne derby hit outs.

With spectacular performances by Jo Weston and Sophie Garbin, the Vixens flew out of the blocks in the first quarter and maintained their composure to withstand a late resurgence by the Mavericks.

Q1 | Vixens 19–11 Mavs
The Vixens came out firing in the first minute with Rudi Ellis (2 gains, 2 deflections, 2 rebounds) snatching up the first feed into the Mavs' goaling circle. Applying their trademark smothering team defence down the court, the Vixens stopped every ball heading into their defensive end within the first few minutes and forced their rivals to call a tactical time-out. Going 7-0 up in the first five minutes, the Vixens' attacking connection was impossible to stop, with Hannah Mundy (30 feeds and 19 goal assists) and Kate Moloney (26 feeds and 18 goal assists) finding a strong and efficient Sophie Garbin (48/51, 94%) under the post seamlessly. The battle between Mundy and Amy Parmenter drew instant attention, the pair putting on a physical contest from the get-go. Garbin’s non-stop movement and Moloney’s hard circle drives propelled the home side to an eight-goal lead at the first break.

Q2 | Vixens 35–27 Mavs
The Mavs responded in the second, adjusting their feeds into Shimona Jok in the opening minutes. With a vocal crowd behind them, the Vixens stayed focused with their quick and calculated ball movement and got themselves out to a 10-goal lead early in the second term. Jo Weston (4 gains, 5 deflections, 3 rebounds) and Ellis worked relentlessly together in the defensive circle and hunted every loose ball. The Vixens scored quickly off gained ball and converted well under pressure, sneaking out to a 12-goal lead. As the power five approached, the Mavs swung a shooting circle change, taking Jok off for Uneeq Palavi and Sasha Glasglow to impact with two-pointers. While the pair closed the margin slightly, the Vixens kept defensively switched on and connected, finishing the first half eight goals up.

Q3 | Vixens 50–42 Mavs
With Garbin’s influence not slowing down in the circle, she proved difficult to stop under the post with her impressive aerial takes and footwork on the baseline. Her Diamonds partner Kiera Austin (17/21, 81%) also starred with crafty feeds and fakes into Garbin. Kate Eddy (3 gains, 2 intercepts, 1 deflection) through the middle played a vital role, smothering Maisie Nankivell with a tagging effort and disruptive arms-over pressure. With 11 minutes to play, Simone McKinnis swung a trio of defensive changes with Weston going into GK, Eddy into GD and the agile Zara Walters coming into WD. Walters' persistent defence impacted immediately as she forced a turnover in the Mavs' attacking end. The visitors threw everything at the Vixens to gain some momentum, getting the margin down to just five goals with two minutes to play. Setting the stage for a huge final quarter, the home side went into the last term with the same eight-goal lead.

Q4 | Vixens 66–57 Mavs
With the game on the line, McKinnis went back to her starting seven with Weston in GD, Ellis in GK and Eddy back to WD. The Mavs refused to go away and gave it their all in a final term resurgence. With the margin sitting around five goals for majority of the fourth quarter, the Vixens took care of the ball and looked to the first option as Liv Lewis and Kim Brown lurked for loose balls. As the power five loomed, the Mavs called a tactical time-out to recalibrate. The well-drilled Vixens knew what was required of them, with Weston stepping up in the final minutes with a game-saving intercept and two rebounds, as well as Eddy’s impressive tip to force a turnover around circle edge. Off the back of an impressive full-court performance, the Vixens held their nerve to remain undefeated in the Melbourne derby, registering a nine-goal win.

THE NUMBERS
94 – Player of the match Sophie Garbin shot at 94% efficiency, scoring 48/51 despite significant pressure from Liv Lewis and Jessie Grenvold. In a physical battle, Garbin remained strong with her holds and takes and showed off her slick connections with attacking teammates Kiera Austin and Hannah Mundy.

THE COACH SAYS
Simone McKinnis was impressed by her defenders' efforts to shut down the Mavs' attacking end.

"I thought our first quarter particularly was really good, we got some really good gained ball. I thought Rudi [Ellis] had a great start which she's more than capable of, so it was great to see."

"It was just clarity and that communication, especially across the transverse line with Kate [Moloney], Kate Eddy and Jo [Weston]. It's about that pressure that goes out the front."

NEXT UP
The Vixens face traditional rivals the NSW Swifts in next week’s Sargeant-McKinnis Cup decider, the ladder leaders travelling to Melbourne for the clash at John Cain Arena on Sunday 15 June. The Vixens will celebrate Heritage Round at the match, including wearing specially designed warmup tops honouring predecessor clubs the Melbourne Phoenix and Kestrels.

ALL IN. ALL VIXEN.
Book your tickets for Vixens home games via Ticketek
View the Vixens’ 2025 fixture