Vixens lock in 2026 training partners

Attacking midcourter Anderson was a standout performer in the Vixens Academy side competing in Super Netball Reserves this year. Known for her speed and ability to control the tempo in attack, the 23-year-old hails from Kongwak in Gippsland and was part of the national 21/U squad in 2023.

22-year-old Caris returns for her fifth year in the Vixens program, having been elevated to the main squad in 2025 as a replacement player for Emily Mannix, who sat out the season on parental leave. The rangy 190cm defender impressed in her six outings on court, showing she could match it with some of the league’s best goal shooters.

Elevated as the Vixens’ eleventh player in 2025, Watson made an impact coming off the bench for her debut in the club’s come-from-behind preliminary final win over the NSW Swifts. The versatile 20-year-old plays across all three midcourt positions, and has been selected in her age group’s state and national squads each year since 2021.

19-year-old Lavis will look to build on her first season in the Vixens program, having made the move to Melbourne from her hometown of Howlong on the Victoria-NSW border ahead of the 2025 season. The 181cm goaler has made her way through the Victorian pathway and offers a dynamic style of play across both shooting positions.

Netball Victoria General Manager, High Performance and Pathways, Sharelle McMahon said:

“We’re incredibly proud of the depth of talent in our Victorian pathway, and this group of athletes really demonstrates the value of investing in local talent. Our pathway programs are vital to developing the next generation of Australian netballers.

“Zali stepped up and performed strongly in our Vixens Academy team in SN Reserves this year, so it’s pleasing to be able to reward that effort with an opportunity as part of the Vixens program.”

Melbourne Vixens head coach Di Honey said:

“It’s fantastic to have Maggie, Tara and Mia back for 2026. They’re all talented athletes and they bring plenty of energy and drive, along with a great appetite to learn and develop.

“Zali is an exciting addition to the group – she was a standout in our Vixens Academy side this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do and how her game develops in our Vixens environment.”

The Vixens will begin their title defence against the Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane on Sunday 15 March. View the 2026 SSN fixture

2026 MELBOURNE VIXENS TRAINING PARTNERS

Zali Anderson (WA/C/WD)
Junior club: Wonthaggi Power Football Netball Club
Victorian Netball League club: Boroondara Express
An attacking midcourter whose strengths include her speed, control, and vision into the circle, Anderson was a standout performer in the 2025 Vixens Academy side competing in SN Reserves. Hailing from Kongwak in the Gippsland region in Victoria’s south-east, the 23-year-old’s performance in the Collingwood Magpies’ championship-winning side at the 2023 Australian Netball Championships earned her a place in the national 21/U squad. Anderson has been a crucial cog in the Boroondara Express midcourt in the Victorian Netball League since 2018, and was selected in the 2021 Victorian 19/U team.

Maggie Caris (GK/GD)
Vixens debut: Round 1, 2025
Junior club: Horsham Saints Netball Club
Victorian Netball League club: Melbourne University Lightning
Caris returns for her fifth year in the Vixens program, following an impressive season as a replacement player in the main squad in 2025. Hailing from Quantong, outside Horsham in Victoria’s Wimmera region, and standing at 190cm, the 22-year-old circle defender contests well in the air and over the shot with strong elevation and reach. Caris has been a mainstay of the Victorian and national pathways, earning selection in the national squad for her age group every year from 2018-2023. She has competed for Melbourne University Lightning in the Victorian Netball League since 2019, and has played key roles in Victorian Fury and Vixens Academy SN Reserves campaigns.

Mia Lavis (GA/GS)
Junior club: Howlong Football Netball Club
Victorian Netball League club: Western Warriors
Standing at 181cm, 19-year-old Lavis is a dynamic goaler with impressive court craft and composure. She was selected in the national 17/U and 19/U pathway squads in 2023 and 2024 respectively and gained international experience as part of the gold medal-winning Australian FAST5 team at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2023. From Howlong, a town on the border of NSW and Victoria with a population of around 3000, Lavis made the move to Melbourne in 2025 to take up a training partner position with the Vixens and competed for Vixens Academy in SN Reserves. In the Victorian Netball League, Lavis starred for North East Blaze in 2025 and has signed with Western Warriors ahead of the 2026 season.

Tara Watson (C/WD/WA)
Vixens debut: Preliminary final, 2025
Junior club: Diamond Creek Netball Club
Victorian Netball League club: North East Blaze
With the versatility to play across all three midcourt positions, 20-year-old Watson earned her first training partner contract with the Vixens ahead of season 2025 and was elevated as the team’s 11^th player, memorably making her debut in the Vixens’ come-from-behind preliminary final win over the NSW Swifts. Hailing from Melbourne’s northern suburbs, Watson has made her way through Netball Victoria’s talent pathway, selected in her age group’s state and national squads each year since 2021. The powerful midcourter has impressed with her performances for the Victorian Fury and Vixens Academy in SN Reserves, with a game built in the iconic Victorian style; reliability, work ethic and strong fundamental skills.