Vixens Academy | SN Reserves Finals | Day 3 Preview

Following a 38-point win over Tasmania Wild on Friday and a rest day today, the Victorian side are feeling energised heading into their last Finals match.

Capital Darters are the dark horse of the SN Reserves league pushing top teams in their matches last season, before taking a 1-point win over Queensland Firebirds Futures on Friday. 

Much of their star power lies in goal shooter Nalani Makunde (co vice-captain), who started the 2026 Reserves season playing for Queensland Firebirds Futures, before returning to her home territory’s side for Finals. The 27-year-old is a dominant shooter in Queensland's HART Premier Netball League (state league) and has represented Zimbabwe at the Netball World Cup (NWC), making her NWC debut in 2023 against the Australian Diamonds. In the SN Reserves match against her former side on Friday, Makunde scored 43 points including 4 super shots and the match winning penalty shot.

Also representing Capital Darters in their finals campaign is defender Kelea (Clare) Iongi. A former SSN training partner for GIANTS Netball and NSW Swifts, Iongi played four SSN matches in 2023, before playing for Pulse in the ANZ Premiership in 2024, and returning to Australia in GIANTS' Reserves side in 2025. Iongi also represented Tonga at the 2023 NWC.

Both Makunde and Iongi featured in Capital Darters’ starting lineup for their first three Reserves games, including their Play in Tournament matches.

Playing almost every minute at goal attack has been Kiara Bloor – a petite and crafty shooter and former GIANTS Netball Reserves player. Bloor was voted the runner up goal attack in Netball NSW Premier League Team of the Decade in 2025. 

Olivia Clark offers a valuable third shooting option utilised in Capital Darters’ game against Territory Storm when she scored 24 points including 2 super shots. 

Amber Brophy (co vice-captain) has also played some minutes at goal attack this week, but more commonly wing attack, where she started the game against Queensland Firebirds Futures. She has represented ACT for several years at both the state and Reserves level. 

Luana Aukafolau started Capital Darters’ first two games at wing attack, and the third at centre. Another Tongan international, she played in the 2023 NWC and has experience in the GIANTS Netball pathway. 

Alice Henman has also played at least half of Capital Darters’ matches in centre or wing defence. She is a longtime state player for ACT who was selected in 2023 Australian 17/U Squad and 2024 Australian 19/U Squad.

Annick Theron has started her team’s first three Reserves games, usually at wing defence. She has an unrelenting engine and strong elevation to pull in midcourt gains.

Second year Reserves player Ashley Weller plays across wing defence and centre and has been selected in the 2026 Australian 19/Under Squad. 

Playing in defence alongside Iongi, Capital Darters have started their captain Malia Harrison in goal defence in two of their opening matches. A former ACT state player, Harrison has experience in the NSW Swifts pathway and has been selected in previous 17/Under and 19/Under Australian Squads.

Taylah Kiss has also provided impact in goal defence in her second year at Reserves level. She has represented ACT in their First Nations State Team, played in the U.S. Open Netball Championships, and competed in both the NSW and Queensland state leagues. 

Rebecca Howarth played the full game against Queensland Firebirds Futures at goal keeper. She brings a calm and assured presence to the court beyond her years, having represented ACT in the 17/U division of National Netball Championships (NNC) earlier this year. Howarth was also recently selected in the 17/Under Australian Squad for a second consecutive year. 

Capital Darters also have five training partners in their squad: 2026 19/U ACT State Team defender Emberlyn Culver, 2026 19/U ACT State Team midcourter Eva Spoljaric, 2026 Australian 17/Under Squad goaler Isla Pfeiffer, 2026 Australian 17/Under Squad athlete Sarah Rogic, and defender Hannah Roberts.

Vixens Academy won’t underestimate this Capital Darters side with their range of experience, X-factor, and nationally recognised up-and-coming local talent. Victoria’s focus is executing another full-game performance, limiting turnovers, and converting gains to end their Reserves season on a high.

Find out more and purchase tickets to SN Reserves finals here.

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