Vixens earn ultimate revenge, end Thunderbirds' Super Netball three-peat hopes

The Australian

3 days ago

Melbourne Vixens enacted the ultimate revenge on the Adelaide Thunderbirds for last year's Super Netball Grand Final defeat, with a 58 to 56 win that quashes the Thunderbirds chance of a historic threepeat.
With the teams barely separated for 60 minutes, it was a super shot shoot out between Georgie Horjus and Kiera Austin that decided the game, with superior composure from MVP Austin in the clutch moments that gave her side the win.
Austin spoke about the feeling she had heading into the game, as well as the shot that sealed the deal.
'It was the most relaxed I have felt in a while, I wanted to be in the moment,' she said.
'I have some great teammates around me who believe I could make the shot.'
Kate Moloney passes for the Vixens. Picture: Getty Images
With the game in the balance, Matilda Garrett was forced from the court with injury.
In the time out that followed, Tania Obst was direct to her star shooter Horjus.
'Georgie, you are going to have to be brave mate,' said Obst, as she was tasked with bringing the game home for them.
Despite her two super shots, it was a miss that landed in the hands of the Vixens that gave them the chance to then play possession netball and come away with a hard fought win.
The Vixens were handed a minor complication before the first whistle, with starting goal keeper Rudi Ellis copping a stray elbow from teammate Jo Weston that left a nasty cut requiring some quick attention from the medical staff. It didn't perturb Ellis, who was quick into the action and working hard to disrupt the ball into Romelda Aiken-George.
Romelda Aiken-George has been on-target for the Thunderbirds all season. Picture: Getty Images
Kate Eddy was tasked with containing reigning season MVP Georgie Horjus, and did so with ease. She finished the game with three gains and only five penalties while forcing Horjus into an uncharacteristic two turnovers.
As the lead started to push out, Thunderbirds were quick to pull their super sub and move Georgie Horjus into goal attack and it didn't take long for her to hit her first two super shots and draw the margin back to three heading into the main break.
The Thunderbirds defensive duo were kept relatively quiet, with the ball speed and patience from the Vixens limiting their ability to win any ball finishing with only three gains between them.
The battle between Latanya Wilson and Austin was tipped to decide the game, with Austin dominating in the first half as she moved around the court with ease and wasn't put off by Wilson's lengthy reach.
Becoming increasingly frustrated by her inability to win ball, Wilson's penalties increased to 16, ahead of her season average of 14.2 per game.
The victory marks the first time in four matches that the Vixens have toppled the 2024 premiers, and sets them up for yet another do or die clash with either the West Coast Fever or NSW Swifts next weekend to earn a place in the grand final.
It also provides the chance for the Vixens to send head coach Simone McKinnis out on the ultimate high, as she is set to step down from her role at season's end.
Thunderbirds wing defence Sophie Casey looks to pass. Picture: Getty Images
MIGHTY MCKINNIS
Melbourne Vixens head coach Simone McKinnis announced mid-season that this would be her last at the helm of the Victorian powerhouse club.
She took over the reins 13 years ago, and in that time has guided the club to two premierships, two additional grand final appearances and three minor premierships.
Having coached over 200 games of elite netball, she is one of the most respected coaches in the game and is responsible for the development of a raft of current and former Diamonds players.
MATILDA'S MILESTONE
Thunderbirds defender Matilda Garrett notched up her 100th national league game in the side's loss to the Vixens.
She moved to the club in 2021after three years at the now defunct Collingwood Magpies and has since become one of Australia's leading defenders.
Often the quiet achiever alongside Jamaican superstars Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson, this year she has stepped into her own with 35 gains and 48 deflections to her name to earn her third consecutive Diamonds call up.
FEVER THRASH THE SWIFTS
West Coast Fever have continued their march through a record breaking season, with a relentless 77 to 45 point victory over the NSW Swifts to book their place in the 2025 Super Netball grand final.
Finishing as minor premiers for the first time in the club's history, Fever have also recorded an historic 13 wins on the trot in a record finals' margin that left Swifts struggling for answers.
Unable to wipe the smile off his face post match, an elated coach Dan Ryan said to the near capacity crowd, 'Get your flights to Melbourne - we will see you there!'
West Coast star Fran Williams. Picture: Getty Images
Battling injuries to key personnel, the long trip west to Fever's fortress and the raucous Green Army, the match proved to be mission impossible for the Swifts, after they were annihilated by 32 points.
They will face the Melbourne Vixens in next weekend's elimination final, a tough comedown after going undefeated through their first eight matches.
While exciting defender Teigan O'Shannassy remains out with a back issue, the Swifts will be hoping their ever-reliable captain Paige Hadley will be available after sitting out two matches with a foot injury.
Nerves played a role at the start, as Fever tore out to an early 8-2 lead following two offensive penalties from Swifts' star shooter Grace Nweke, who was caught pushing off her opponent.
In a clinical display, Fever gave away just 15 turnovers and also pounced on the Swifts' 30 as Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard delivered a master shooting class at the other end.
Fever trio Shanice Beckford, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Sunday Aryang high five at the half time break. Picture: Getty Images
The ice cool Jamaican queen shot a outdid her own finals' record with 66/68 at 97 percent accuracy despite enormous defensive pressure from Diamonds' defender Sarah Klau.
Swifts slumped to a nine point deficit at the end of the first quarter, with goal attack Helen Housby kept under tight wraps by defenders Sunday Aryang, Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Fran Williams during the two point period.
With the lead blowing out further, Swifts' coach Briony Akle had little option but to go to supershots to reduce the deficit, benching Nweke for Sophie Fawns, leaving two mobile shooters in the circle.
Grace Nweke was benched as the Swifts turned to the super shot to salvage the semi final. Picture: Getty Images
While their radar was on, both were starved of opportunity under smothering defensive work as Fever continued to build their lead.
Akle continued to rotate her young troops, but coming up with just seven gains to Fever's 18, and a 61 percent centre pass conversion rate compared to Fever's 81, was never going to be enough to make inroads.
New Diamonds' squad member Alice Teague-Neeld was in blistering MVP form, while Aryang finished with seven gains as she dominated her opponents.
TEIGAN TURNS UP THE HEAT
Despite missing finals with a back injury, Swifts' defender Teigan O'Shannassy has been rewarded with a Diamonds' invitee berth for her great form this season.
National coach Stacey Marinkovich described O'Shannassy as one of the best defenders in the league for 'coming off her own player and getting intercepts'.
'She's hard, courageous to the ball, and has a loud voice at the back at key moments in the game, so that really grabbed our attention,' she said.
NET POINT NOUS
Across the season, the four players with the highest average Net Point scores all come from the Fever and Swifts. Leading the pack is Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard on 114.6, followed by Grace Nweke on 90.5, Alice Teague-Neeld on 87.3 and Paige Hadley on 86. The loss of the ever-reliable Hadley through a foot injury is a particular blow to the Swifts during today's match.
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