Vixens retain core talent with seven re-signings for 2024

Seven current Vixens athletes have put pen to paper for the 2024 season, including defensive unit Emily Mannix and Jo Weston, midcourt trio Kate Moloney, Kate Eddy and Hannah Mundy, and shooting partners Kiera Austin and Mwai Kumwenda.

Kate Moloney achieved an historic milestone in 2023, becoming the first Vixen to play 150 matches for the club, and shows no sign of slowing down heading into her twelfth season in navy.

Moloney’s famed endurance and work rate continued to serve her well across 15 appearances this year, racking up 228 feeds and 26 pickups while leading her side as co-captain once again.

A key part of the Australian Diamonds squad that has claimed Commonwealth Games and World Cup gold in successive years, Jo Weston re-signs with the Vixens after 132 games since her 2014 debut.

Known for her relentless tagging style in defence and invaluable long-term partnership with Emily Mannix, Weston claimed 52 deflections and 18 rebounds in her 2023 campaign and regularly executed a successful shutdown role on some of the world’s best goalers.

Emily Mannix found form rivalling her career-best in 2023, the vice-captain named runner up in the club’s MVP award and playing her 100^th national league match in round 12.

The 29-year-old defender claimed 29 deflections and 19 intercepts across 13 matches and continued to stand up in key moments, including collecting an astounding 11 gains in one match against eventual premiers the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Malawian star goaler Mwai Kumwenda was a consistent performer again in 2023, delivering 585 goals and 41 rebounds across 15 appearances as she built on her partnership with Kiera Austin.

An experienced and agile shooter known for her aerial ability, Kumwenda has played 135 national league games including 96 for the Vixens, and has represented Malawi at a remarkable four Commonwealth Games’.

Kate Eddy continued to play a vital role combining with the midcourt and defensive units in 2023, collecting 22 deflections and 18 pickups in 13 appearances to nullify the impact of some of the league’s most effective feeders.

In her fourth season at the club, 26-year-old Eddy also showcased her versatility, playing across her primary position of wing defence and swinging into goal defence at key moments to impressive effect.

Emerging midcourt star Hannah Mundy has rapidly become a fan favourite, her strength and ability to contest in the air generating excitement in each of her 11 appearances this season.

The 2021 Rookie of the Year and 2022 Australian Netball Championships tournament MVP made the most of her time on court, racking up 103 goal assists and demonstrating her ability to shift a game’s momentum with her powerful drives and tenacity in defence.

Kiera Austin made a name for herself as a clutch super shot specialist in 2023, sinking buzzer-beating two-point shots numerous times to claim wins for her side, and continued to showcase her defensive strength with 27 deflections, 21 pickups, and 13 intercepts across 15 games.

The versatile 26-year-old goaler was also named player of the match for her game-changing performance in the Diamonds’ World Cup gold medal match in Cape Town.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to continue working with so many of our athletes in 2024, we played some fantastic netball this year and as a group we know we have much more to achieve together,” said Head Coach Simone McKinnis OAM.

“We’re really pleased to have retained the core of our team – we have outstanding talent all over the court with this group, and a balance of experience and youth which we believe will serve us well heading into our 2024 campaign,” said General Manager High Performance & Pathways Megan Simpson.

“The three remaining positions on our 2024 list have been filled by an exciting blend of established and emerging talent, and we look forward to making those announcements in due course.”