Vixens v Lightning Preview

Assistant coach Sharelle McMahon is hopeful the Vixens can get their signature style and impressive form back leading into finals.

“On the weekend, we were getting the ball back, particularly early, and we provided a lot of pressure,” McMahon said.

“But what went wrong, was that we scored off very few of those times that we actually got our hands to the ball. So, there was just a little bit of a breakdown on being able to bring that ball through the court and particularly to connect to the goaling end.

“We feel like when we reflect on that game and look at the footage back, there were a few things we weren’t doing well, that we usually do.”

This week, it’s a 2^nd v 3^rd battle against the Lightning. Last time the two teams met on the Sunshine Coast, the Vixens took control of the game and won by ten goals, with Kate Moloney and Emily Mannix claiming two quality intercepts each.

With an impressive performance earlier in the season, McMahon is confident this game will live up to the hype surrounding it.

“It’s about doing the things that we do well, which we kind of went away from on the weekend.

“We had a really great win over them up on the Sunshine Coast earlier in the year, but some of those games seem like another season ago.

“You have to reset and have a look at the things they are doing well, especially defensively, particularly with Karla Pretorius in that team is a huge challenge.

“However, I think there is no doubt we have the talent to get us through that.

“They are playing a little bit differently to what they perhaps did. Cara Koenen came on in the game that we played against them, so we’ve seen a little bit of her.”

This weekend will also mark Renae Ingles’ last official home game at Melbourne Arena, while also drawing the curtain on a magnificent individual career when finals conclude.

“All year this year I’ve just known it’s the right time and it’s right for me and for my family, and I think I’ve enjoyed it a lot more because of that,” Ingles said.

There will be an exclusive post-match member signing, where members have the chance to win some great prizes at the court after the game, including a $5000 Thai Airways International Flight voucher, an Ozito products pack, two Sharelle McMahon Medal tickets and a signed Melbourne Vixens netball. You’ll need to get your wristband before the game to be in the running and to stick around the edge of the court.

Tickets are still available for the game this weekend on Ticketek, when we take on the Sunshine Coast Lightning on Sunday 18 August at 3pm.