Vixens re-sign breakout trio, complete 2025 roster

The re-signings confirm the Victorian powerhouse will retain the squad that took them to the club’s third Grand Final appearance in five years, featuring a balance of experience and young talent.

A breakout season saw Ellis feature in all but one of the Vixens’ 17 matches in 2024, her reach and elevation providing coach Simone McKinnis with crucial versatility in her defensive unit, and earning herself a callup to the Australian FAST5 team.

The 27-year-old defender returned to the club where she was a training partner in 2018-19 and has impressed internally with her appetite to learn, her game going from strength to strength against world-class opponents as the season progressed.

Victorian pathway product Walters made an immediate impression in the opening rounds of the 2024 season, debuting with two 60-minute performances against the Mavericks and Thunderbirds and barely blinking as she took on internationally experienced opponents.

A lower back injury saw the 20-year-old midcourter miss the following eight rounds, but she won plaudits internally for her professionalism and diligence throughout her rehab process and returned to feature in five of the Vixens’ remaining six matches for the season.

Named Rookie of the Year at the club’s recent post-season awards celebration and selected in the Australian Fast5 team, Walters’ strength and vision into the circle cemented her as a fan favourite in her first season in navy.

Eighteen-year-old Graham was elevated from squad member to replacement player following star goal shooter Mwai Kumwenda’s pregnancy announcement in February, and has impressed both in the training environment and her six appearances at SSN level.

Another product of the Victorian pathway, Graham’s versatility across both shooting positions and willingness to turn and shoot have already proven valuable – including her six super shots in a breakout performance against West Coast Fever in Round 13.

“We’re thrilled to have re-signed Rudi, Zara and Lily. We’ve started to build something special with this group, we can all feel that we have more to achieve together and I’m super pleased to be taking this team into next season,” said head coach Simone McKinnis OAM.

“As a coach nothing excites me more than players like Rudi, Zara and Lily – talented athletes who are eager to learn, who want to soak it up and really take the game on – but more than that, they’re really good quality people and they bring a lot to our team culture.”

“We really take pride in our pathway and in our ability to invest in local talent, and to see these athletes come into our club and take an opportunity with both hands is so exciting for our team and our fans.”

“We were shattered to come so close to the ultimate success this year, but that’s already fuelling the group to work together as a unit and go one better in 2025. This season was just the beginning.”

“I’m so excited to be re-signing with the Vixens, I have nothing but love for the club and the people in it. I can’t wait to continue on with this amazing bunch of girls and hopefully win a premiership together,” said Ellis.

“I’m super excited to be re-signing with the Melbourne Vixens. Everyone at the club has made my first year so enjoyable and I can’t wait to build on what we were able to achieve this year with this group of girls,” said Walters.

“I’m really grateful to be signing again with the Vixens, this club means so much to me and I’m extremely excited to be learning from the best,” said Graham.

MELBOURNE VIXENS 2025 SQUAD
Kiera Austin
Kate Eddy
Rudi Ellis
Sophie Garbin
Lily Graham
Emily Mannix*
Kate Moloney
Hannah Mundy
Zara Walters
Jo Weston

*Mannix recently announced her pregnancy and no decision has been made regarding her participation in the 2025 SSN season at this time.