Vixens v GIANTS Preview

This will be the second time the Vixens take on the GIANTS this year, after defeating them in Round 2, 61-45.

Vixens goaler, Caitlin Thwaites, who will be playing her 50th game for the Vixens, expects the game to be another competitive and physical clash.

“This weekend, we are focusing on us and what we need to do. We don’t want to focus too much on what our opposition are doing and lose sight of what we do really well,” said Thwaites.

“We’re still just focusing on our own connections and running through the centre passes and things that we know work well for us.

“We also know we’re going to be in for a really physical battle, so it’s just being prepared for that and having a few tricks up our sleeve to attack it from a couple of different angles.

Being the final game before the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup break, Thwaites suggests the team will be working hard to continue their impressive form against the fourth placed GIANTS.

“For these last couple of games, we’ve set ourselves up to go into the break maximising the amount of points we can get and really putting ourselves in the best position come the back end of the season

“We’ve got our blinkers on, and just really looking at putting out a great performance this weekend and heading into the break on a high.”

After 208 national league games, Thwaites will play her 50^th for the Vixens, having returned to ‘the den’ this year.

A part of the inaugural Vixens team in 2008, Thwaites (Vixen #12), also played a pivotal role in the 2009 premiership alongside Sharelle McMahon (now assistant coach).

For Thwaites, coming back home for the Vixens wasn’t something she imagined happening, but has proven to be a rewarding experience.

“For me, I probably didn’t think I would end up back at the Vixens. My journey has taken me to all sorts of different places.

“It’s really nice to know, having played over 200 games now, that I’ve spent a good chunk of that in my home state and being able to contribute to netball from my grassroots all the way up to the top level here in Melbourne and that’s pretty special for me.

“Last time I was at the Vixens I was playing with Sharelle, not being coached by her, so it’s been really special to rekindle those relationships. Due to distance and not being a part of people’s everyday environment, you kind of drift a little bit, but it’s been great to already have that base of a relationship there.

The Melbourne Vixens return to Melbourne after the World Cup break in Round 10, hosting the Adelaide Thunderbirds at Melbourne Arena. Purchase tickets here.