Preview: Vixens v Thunderbirds

The Vixens return to Hisense Arena for the first time since their 2014 Grand Final triumph, and carry the form of a comprehensive 24-goal defeat of Mojo Pulse at Margaret Court Arena last week.

Unchanged from the starting seven that brought them ANZ Championship glory, the Vixens were at their punishing best across the court, and will look to mark the occasion for Chatfield with another win.

Chatfield's appearance is her 223^rd match in a national competition (113 Commonwealth Bank Trophy matches) making her the highest-capped Victorian.

The Thunderbirds travel to Melbourne following a home solitary goal loss to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic last weekend and with a 6-11 win/loss record against the Vixens.

Despite being the two most successful clubs in the ANZ Championship's history, recent history swings in the favour of the home side, who dismantled the Thunderbirds both away and at home by 38 and 21 goals respectively.

Adelaide still boasts an array of talent in the form of Thunderbirds captain and Australian wing defender Renae Hallinan, as well as newly instated Australian Carla Borrego, plus classy shooter Erin Bell.

Vixens 2014 Premiership defender Amy Steel will also face her old side for the first time.

However the Vixens remain a ominous task with shooter Tegan Philip picking up where sheleft off in the 2014 Grand Final with another MVP performance in Round 1.

Madi Robinson and Liz Watson ran rings around the Pulse midcourt last Sunday, and will mean the Thunderbirds will need to implement a full-court containment if they are to buck the trend of history.