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News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Weston stars as Vixens make big step towards Super Netball glory
Melbourne Vixens coach Simone McKinnis hailed a thrilling win over the NSW Swifts as a 'significant step' for her team after holding off the ladder leaders to claim their first top-four scalp of the season in a boost to their finals ambitions. Storming to their fourth consecutive win, the Vixens defied a flurry of late super shots from Swifts goal attack Helen Housby to inflict the second loss of the season on the table-topping team with their 70-68 victory at John Cain Arena on Sunday. The win put the Vixens back in fourth spot on the ladder ahead of the Thunderbirds, who they are battling for a finals berth. Last season's runners-up to Adelaide, the Vixens have found their groove after a shaky start to their campaign when they struggled to find consistency and even had McKinnis suggest a trip to the pub was needed to inject life into their 'flat' game. The Vixens led throughout the match – and by as much as 11 goals in the third quarter – but the Swifts stormed home and threatened to steal the game off the back of some superb super shot shooting from Housby and a lift in defensive intensity. Vixens goal defence Jo Weston was named player of the match as the back-court stalwart finished with three deflections and two long-range goal assists from midcourt. Weston worked overtime with goal keeper Rudi Ellis to restrict the impact of Swifts' star import Grace Nweke (40 from 43) and Housby (11/13). At the other end, goalers Sophie Garbin (47/49) and Kiera Austin (20/23, including three of four two-pointers) also starred with their connection in the circle back to its best. The victory was the Vixens' first win of the season against a team in the top four after earlier losses to the Thunderbirds, West Coast Fever, Swifts and Lightning, who they face again next round on the road. McKinnis, in her last season as Vixens' coach, said the win against a top-four opponent was an important breakthrough, but the team could not yet afford to look any further ahead than its next battle. 'I'm really pleased, super happy. I thought they did an amazing job taking the game on from the start,' McKinnis said. 'I thought it was important for us to be able to get that win, we haven't had one over a team that's in the (top) four. I thought it was a significant step for us, but super proud of the girls. 'We have got Sunshine Coast Lightning next week and we had a poor game against them earlier in the year, so we want to put out a good game next week. 'It is just that shift now to Lightning … what's going to give us the best opportunity to have the best result that we can get next Saturday night? 'Things are in our hands, but we just have to keep that focus on the here and now.' Swifts' goal shooter Sophie Fawns, who replaced Nweke in the power play periods, missed her final two-point attempt with just over 30 seconds left to play in the match, which would have drawn the scores. The Swifts retain top spot on the ladder by percentage only over the Fever, but Swifts coach Briony Akle was pragmatic after the loss. 'I thought when we had that shot at the end, maybe we should have gone for a one-pointer, but it is what it is,' Akle said. 'If we got the goal, it would have been great, but we didn't and that's sport. 'I never like to lose, but I feel like Vixens are a top side and I thought they were amazing tonight in their attack. 'I expected a really hard game and they just came out and we didn't have answers. Disappointed but moving forward.' WESTON WIND-UP McKinnis was able to have a laugh about the trademark Weston wind-up after her pair of goal assists from centre court, but praised the 'outstanding' defensive leadership of the Diamonds' defender. 'You can see it coming because you watch her and you go, 'Oh, here we go',' McKinnis said. 'But I thought Jo was outstanding today. Just the workrate and the leadership for those around her has just been so good. So I'll let her have a couple of goal assists. 'The discipline is something that we have spoken about, we have been highly penalised and that decision-making and staying in play. 'Jo is so competitive, she would be one of the most competitive people I know. But for her to be able manage that, the decision-making and keep the pressure on … and just the support she shows to Rudi as well. 'The whole attack end of Swifts is a tough attack end, it's just that mindset which Jo has to keep persevering and just keep at it.' CONSECUTIVE LOSSES The Swifts stormed into premiership favouritism after a blistering start to the season when they won their opening eight matches. With their blockbuster off-season signing, Silver Ferns star Nweke dominating under the post, many had considered the Swifts an early lock for this year's crown. But consecutive losses in the past two rounds have shown they are not bulletproof. The Fever flexed their flag credentials last round with an 11-goal win over the Swifts in Sydney before the Vixens handed them their first loss on the road. 'It's just reality checks around accountability and working as a unit,' Akle said. 'As any coach would, we will go back and have a look at the footage and delve deeply into that and what that means for us moving forward, but I haven't lost any faith.' The Swifts face the Giants in a Sydney derby next round. SUPER SHOT STAR Housby did her best to almost single-handedly drag the Swifts over the line in the final quarter with an almost flawless performance from two-point range. The English international nailed eight of nine two-point attempts for the match, including four in the final power play period. 'It is not easy shooting those super shots under pressure when you are 10 down and the whole team relying on you,' Akle said. 'I thought Sophie (four from seven two-pointers) came on and supported her beautifully in that role tonight. She hasn't had a lot of court time obviously, but the minutes she had I thought she was extremely valuable and helped Helen out and just released that pressure valve for her as well.'
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Housby heroics not enough as Vixens shoot to fourth
The Melbourne Vixens have defied a "lethal" Helen Housby to topple the ladder-leading NSW Swifts and move into Super Netball's top four. Sophie Garbin powered the Vixens' 70-68 win while player-of-the-match Jo Weston dominated defensively to inflict a second-straight defeat on the Swifts. It was party time on Sunday at John Cain Arena when Weston's long-range assist in the third quarter swelled the lead to 11 goals. Centimetre perfect 🤌🏼Watch every game live on Kayo Sports, Foxtel and Binge. — Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) June 15, 2025 But English star Housby was dealing in pairs, the veteran nailing eight-of-nine super shots to drag her side off the canvas. Her sixth got the margin back to four goals with three minutes to play, Housby then nailing two more on successive plays to make it a two-goal game in the final 30 seconds. From the restart Weston was then called for a held ball, but Swifts replacement shooter Sophie Fawns missed a super shot that would have levelled the game. "I'm happy we got that in the end ... the super-shot shooting from Helen and Sophie is just lethal," Weston said. "It was a real team effort and I was proud of our attack, they were really smart and worked the ball, drew penalties when they needed to and finished it off." A fourth-straight Vixens (6-4) win allowed them jump the Thunderbirds (5-5) into fourth with four regular-season games to play. "Just being really chaotic and having fun out there," Weston said of their intent. "We've been trying to emphasis the work rate and decision making … we weren't seeing the option because we weren't working for each other." Earlier, Garbin (47-of-49 attempts) and Austin (17-of-19 with 26 assists from 28 feeds) had spearheaded the Vixens' charge, the hosts forging clear after scores had been locked at 20-20 early in the second quarter. While assured of a finals berth, the Swifts' (8-2) loss came a week after Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard's 71 goals for the West Coast Fever ended their eight-game winning start to the season.
