Round 9 Preview: GIANTS v Vixens

The clash, which will open Round 9 of the 2020 Suncorp Super Netball Season, will be the second time the two clubs have met this season, with the Vixens recording a five-goal win over the GIANTS in Round 6, a match that was played just eight days ago.

The Vixens will be buoyed by their Round 8 win over 2019 Premiers, the NSW Swifts, on Saturday, as they head into another Victorian-NSW derby against the GIANTS.

Star Malawian goaler, Mwai Kumwenda, was sensational in the Vixens narrow three-goal win over the Swifts, shooting at an incredible 92%. It was Kumwenda’s first full game on court since rupturing her ACL back in 2018.

“That was a tough game for me, but I was excited to get on and play for 60 minutes….because I’ve been working hard the whole season,” Kumwenda said.

“I’m excited to play against GIANTS again because it will be [a] good challenge for us,” she continued. “[They’re] a tough team [so] we just need to focus on our game…but it will be a good match to watch.”

Whilst many pundits have been focussing on the GIANTS rotating shooting circle thus far in season 2020, Kumwenda has her eyes on their defensive unit.

“The GIANTS have got tough defenders like Kristiana [Manu’a] and [Sam] Poolman…they are tough, so [we] just need to hold strong and pick up some movements,” Kumwenda continued. “Also, we just need to have more space for our attacking end, like wing attack and centre, to get in the area of the circle…[that] will be good for us.”

The Vixens will be hosted by the GIANTS on Tuesday 1 September at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena to kick off Round 9. The match will be broadcast live on Telstra TV and the Netball Live App from 5pm.

For our Melbourne army, you can support the Vixens from home on the couch, by using the hashtag #VixensAtHome on your social media, and become a Beyond the Court member for just $55 here.