Vixens Academy | Round 6 preview

With just two matches to go in the regular Super Netball Reserves season, winning the match is crucial to ensure Vixens Academy remain in the top four on the closely contested ladder.

Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures have been rotating a large squad including multiple Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) and Australian 21/U Squad athletes.

Headlining the goal circle are two contracted Adelaide Thunderbirds athletes: SSN premiership player Lauren Frew, who has played minutes in two SN Reserves matches so far this season across goal attack and goal shooter; and Kayla Graham, who has played every game across wing attack, goal attack and goal shooter.

Joining these goalers is third-season Reserves player Brooke Irlam who can play across both positions and shoot comfortably from range, as well as Jordi Vidmar, and 19/Under South Australian State Team member Elouise Nordhausen who made her Reserves debut in Round 5.

Nullifying the movement of this dynamic, versatile, and balanced shooting circle will be key for Vixens Academy defenders Maggie Caris, Ruby Turner, Ruby Pekin-Schlicht, and Gabby Dwyer in this game. Expect Dwyer to apply strong body-on-body pressure while Caris, Turner, and Pekin-Schlicht look for opportunities to hunt ball from Thunderbirds Futures’ shooter to shooter passes.

Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures also have experience in the midcourt headlined by SSN contracted athlete C/WD Sophie Casey who has appeared in four out of five rounds so far. Adelaide Thunderbirds 2026 11th-player Lucy Voyvodic has played almost every minute of the season rotating between wing attack, centre, and wing defence with ease, while Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner WD/C Tabitha Packer brings her own impressive credentials, having been named Netball Australia's Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup.

Traditionally a defender, 18-year-old Jazmin McKay has regularly moved into centre throughout this season. The daughter of former Australian Diamond Sarah Sutter, she was recently named the 19/U tournament MVP at the National Netball Championships and is a current Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner. Lucy Denton has been injected as an impact wing attack in every game this season, and Ellie Marshall, originally from Tasmania, provides an additional midcourt option.

Coming up against this fit, athletic and defensive-minded midcourt will be a test for Vixens Academy’s Ally O’Connor, Zali Anderson, Casey Dunstan, Taylah Brown and Georgia Moody. They’ll need to apply strong hands over pressure and anticipate drives to slow down this crafty and disciplined midcourt.

Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures’ defenders bring maturity and stability to this young side. Their starting goal keeper is Charlotte Walker, who is in her second year as an Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner. She plays alongside goal defence Molly Watson, who has been in the Adelaide Thunderbirds environment for six years, and was recently a temporary replacement player in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership competition.

2026 Australian 19/Under Squad member Anna Goad offers additional goal defence cover. Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner Jemma Kelly suffered a knee injury in Round 3 and has not returned to court.

Vixens Academy will need to apply court smarts to outplay this defensive lineup. Bella Hodgson and Sahara Ball provide strong rotating targets under the ring, while Mia Lavis and Georgia Moody are disciplined bringing the ball down court and happy to shoot from distance.

Having suffered two 1-point losses, Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures are sitting on just one win so far this season but have the talent to push Vixens Academy’s mature side. Both sides will be focusing on consistent game play following close Round 5 losses.

Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures vs Vixens Academy

Sunday 31 May, 6pm ACST/6.30pm AEST, Adelaide Entertainment Centre (following the Round 12 Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Melbourne Vixens game). Admission is included with all SSN tickets to this match.

Stream all Super Netball Reserves games via Kommunity TV/Code Sports and keep up to date with scores via Play HQ.