Latest news with #MelbourneVixens
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Super Netball grand final: West Coast Fever star Fran Williams opens up on rivalry with Melbourne Vixens
West Coast Fever star Fran Williams has opened up on the deep-seated rivalry between her club and Melbourne Vixens before the two powerhouses meet in another Super Netball grand final. Fever players were put through a no-holds barred training session at the Gold Netball Centre on Monday, five days out from their tilt at a second premiership in club history. Williams said it has them primed for Saturday's decider, which will be played in front of a hostile Melbourne crowd. That brutal session came after another intense hit-out in a practice match against the club's male training partners on Saturday, which was part of a ploy to keep their routine the same, even though they had earned preliminary final weekend off. Williams — the England national team captain who joined the club before last season — said the rivalry between the two sides was instilled in players as soon as they arrived at Fever. '(There was an) extra spring in the step for grand final week,' she said. 'Everyone looked extra fierce and feisty and up for the challenge out there today, so it's great. 'We're going in all-guns-blazing. There's a real rivalry, I noticed that when I arrived at Fever, between Vixens and Fever and I think it's because they have had so many tightly-contested finals matches in the past and you kind of inherit that rivalry when you come and join the side. 'One thing we pride ourselves on is that our training environment is as tough as its going to get for us. It's something we know we can do to each other because we have got that connection and trust and comfortable relationships. 'We can challenge and push each other and we know we are doing it to bring out the best in each other.' The Vixens' heart-stopping one-goal victory over NSW Swifts on Sunday afternoon in Sydney meant they earn home-court advantage for the clash, which will be the first netball match ever held at Rod Laver Arena. More than 10,000 fans are expected to pack the venue, including a fleet of Fever fans making the trip across. Since the Super Netball grand final has been put out to tender before each season, the Fever in 2022 and Adelaide last year have fortuitously held home-court advantage. Both teams won, but the Fever are out to buck the trend they started. 'I think just embracing it. How cool for netball that we are getting to play at an iconic sporting venue like Rod Laver and yes it's in Melbourne, but we know that the Green Army will be there supporting there in person... but also at home and getting behind us, you do feel the love,' Williams said. 'Sometimes when you go away our Fever bubble stays really strong and you lean in on each other even more.'
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Vixens to exploit home comforts in netball grand final
The Melbourne Vixens are aiming to go full throttle as they enter the dangerous comfort zone of hosting a Super Netball grand final. Vixens coach Simone McKinnis is urging her side to stay hungry as they prepare to take on a formidable West Coast outfit on Saturday at Rod Laver Arena. The Vixens booked their spot in the decider with a stirring comeback over the NSW Swifts, turning around a 10-goal deficit at the final change to win by one in the dying seconds. West Coast finished on top of the table but McKinnis's side avoid the RAC Arena fortress thanks to Super Netball's controversial policy of selling hosting rights for the decider. A hostile environment at RAC Arena went a long way towards helping West Coast undermine top-two side NSW, with the Fever pulling off a 77-45 semi-final mauling. McKinnis won't let her side become too carried away, given the Vixens' season almost ended when the Swifts powered to a 51-41 lead at three quarter-time. "We lacked a bit of dynamic movement and punch and attack at times," McKinnis said. "When changing in the defensive structures, we didn't adapt well all the time. "We've got to take what we have to out of this because up against a Fever, you don't get a second chance or a look. "They don't give you much chance." Vixens captain Kate Moloney, who played in the club's 2020 grand final win at Brisbane venue Nissan Arena during COVID-19, can only imagine the bonus of creating a fortress for a decider. "It hasn't quite sunk in. That game, just the fight that we showed, I'm pretty exhausted right now," Moloney said. "It's amazing that we get to have (a grand final) at home. "The last grand final that we won was in a hub, and we didn't get to share that with our Melbourne Vixens fans. "They've been with us this whole time. They've sold out John Cain Arena each week. "It's an amazing reward for them as well, that we get to go home and we get the opportunity to hopefully go all the way." The NSW Swifts were left lamenting what could've been after suffering straight-sets finals exits. "We probably just looked a bit too far ahead today," Swifts co-captain Maddy Turner said. "We probably saw ourselves already like, that foot in the grand final at three-quarter time, so again, another learning."
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Vixens to exploit home comforts in netball grand final
The Melbourne Vixens are aiming to go full throttle as they enter the dangerous comfort zone of hosting a Super Netball grand final. Vixens coach Simone McKinnis is urging her side to stay hungry as they prepare to take on a formidable West Coast outfit on Saturday at Rod Laver Arena. The Vixens booked their spot in the decider with a stirring comeback over the NSW Swifts, turning around a 10-goal deficit at the final change to win by one in the dying seconds. West Coast finished on top of the table but McKinnis's side avoid the RAC Arena fortress thanks to Super Netball's controversial policy of selling hosting rights for the decider. A hostile environment at RAC Arena went a long way towards helping West Coast undermine top-two side NSW, with the Fever pulling off a 77-45 semi-final mauling. McKinnis won't let her side become too carried away, given the Vixens' season almost ended when the Swifts powered to a 51-41 lead at three quarter-time. "We lacked a bit of dynamic movement and punch and attack at times," McKinnis said. "When changing in the defensive structures, we didn't adapt well all the time. "We've got to take what we have to out of this because up against a Fever, you don't get a second chance or a look. "They don't give you much chance." Vixens captain Kate Moloney, who played in the club's 2020 grand final win at Brisbane venue Nissan Arena during COVID-19, can only imagine the bonus of creating a fortress for a decider. "It hasn't quite sunk in. That game, just the fight that we showed, I'm pretty exhausted right now," Moloney said. "It's amazing that we get to have (a grand final) at home. "The last grand final that we won was in a hub, and we didn't get to share that with our Melbourne Vixens fans. "They've been with us this whole time. They've sold out John Cain Arena each week. "It's an amazing reward for them as well, that we get to go home and we get the opportunity to hopefully go all the way." The NSW Swifts were left lamenting what could've been after suffering straight-sets finals exits. "We probably just looked a bit too far ahead today," Swifts co-captain Maddy Turner said. "We probably saw ourselves already like, that foot in the grand final at three-quarter time, so again, another learning."
Courier-Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Melbourne Vixens stun NSW Swifts in preliminary final comeback, grand final vs West Coast Fever
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News. Melbourne Vixens are riding high after a last ditch effort to beat the NSW Swifts by 66 to 65 points, to book their place in the 2025 Super Netball grand final. They came from behind in the dying seconds of the game, having trailed 51-41 after the third quarter, and will go into next week's match full of confidence having won eight of their last ten games. Watch every game of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season, LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Standing in their way however, will be the formidable West Coast Fever, who demolished the Swifts by 32 points in last weekend's major semi-final. Speaking post match captain and MVP Kate Moloney said, 'I'm exhausted but I'm so bloody proud. We were down by ten goals and we found something in that last quarter and they just never stopped fighting.' Coaching her second last match with the Vixens, Simone McKinnis, added, 'We weren't going to walk away from here afraid to take risks. They saw a glimpse and a hope and away they went.' X SUBSCRIBER ONLY It was the greatest preliminary final comeback in Super Netball history, beating the nine-goal market the Vixens set in 2022 against the Giants. It was a dismal end to the season for Swifts, despite the return of inspirational captain Paige Hadley who has missed the last two rounds with a foot injury. While she provided a calm head and safe pair of hands, the Swifts have been bundled out of the finals in straight sets, after looking untouchable as they went undefeated through the first eight rounds. Melbourne Vixens players celebrate. (Photo by) Simone McKinnis inspired her players. (Photo by) There was immense pressure from the opening whistle, causing fumbles, stray passes and uncharacteristic missed shots. The Swifts were first to take advantage of those errors, going long and high to Grace Nweke in the circle. Despite her athleticism, some balls were sprayed over her head or swatted away by goal keeper Rudi Ellis who finished with six gains, allowing the Vixens to shift gears and take a three point lead into the first break. The Swifts hit the front in the second quarter as their confidence grew, with Helen Housby raising the bar after a quiet few weeks. Passes started going in more smoothly to the circle, with Nweke lifting her shooting from a subpar 77 percent in the first quarter to a total of 53/58 at 91 percent across the match. With the Swifts' Sharni Lambden applying enormous pressure at wing defence, Vixens' skipper Moloney did everything she could to pull her side over the line. She had a strong connection with Sophie Garbin under the post, who picked up the slack while the hero of so many victories, Kiera Austin, struggled for influence early on. The Swifts couldn't believe it. (Photo by Mark) The Vixens seemed down and out of the contest with the deficit sitting at 11 points and their penalties twice their opponents, until Lily Graham sank consecutive supershots to bring the margin back to single digits. In an inspirational last quarter Austin finally switched on her radar when it counted, firing in three long range shots to finish with 12/16 including four from five supershots, while her partner Garbin had a solid 46/47. The Vixens found another gear and rolled over the Swifts in highly emotional scenes. MCKINNIS MAGIC Simone McKinnis will make her final appearance as Vixens' coach in next weekend's grand final, after 212 games in charge of the club. Across 13 years, she's taken them to two titles, three minor premierships and a further three grand final appearances, and will leave massive shoes to fill. It looked like it was going to be McKinnis' final game in charge at the end of the third quarter but an inspiration and emotional final address helped inspire the Vixens to life. 'We have nothing to lose here! Except for throwing our best selves as this contest,' McKinnis said. PAIN FOLLOWS A POINT Remarkably, the previous three Super Netball preliminary finals have been decided by a solitary point, with the Vixens taking out two of those wins, and the Swifts the other. Despite moving on into the grand final, neither side was then able to steal the ultimate victory. Originally published as Super Netball stunner as emotional speech sparks all-time Vixens comeback
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Last-quarter comeback: Vixens stun Swifts to win preliminary final thriller
The Melbourne Vixens have pulled off a stunning final-quarter comeback, overcoming a 10-goal deficit to beat the NSW Swifts and seal a spot in the Super Netball grand final. Just a week after stunning defending champions Adelaide in a two-goal win, the Vixens, who finished the regular season in fourth spot, took it to the Swifts on their home court and came away with a 61-60 win at Qudos Bank Arena. 'I'm exhausted but so bloody proud,' captain Kate Moloney told Fox Sports after her team outscored the Swift 25-14 in the last quarter. 'It was three-quarter-time and we were down by 10 goals and we found something in that final quarter.' They will now face West Coast Fever in the grand final, which will be played in Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena, giving the Vixens home court advantage despite the Fever finishing in top spot. The Vixens have lost both meetings with the Fever this season. 'The Fever have led the charge, but we'll give it absolutely everything we've got. They beat us by a fair bit a few weeks ago, so we'll need to work hard and find a way to win,' Moloney said. Coach Simone McKinnis, who is leaving the Vixens at the end of the season, had full confidence in her team despite the big margin at the final break.
