The Melbourne Vixens completed their fairytale finish for outgoing coach Simone McKinnis, defeating the powerhouse West Coast Fever by a single goal, 59-58, to win the Super Netball grand final – her final game at the helm.
Vixens star Jo Weston said it best soon after the final whistle. Almost overcome with a combination of joy and relief, she simply said to Foxtel: “I think we’re going to head to the pub.”
By contrast, a shattered Jess Anstiss could only describe the outcome one way: “Pure devastation, to be honest”.
Vixens win Super Netball Grand Final Credit: Getty Images
And it’s little wonder. The dominant Fever (12 wins and two losses) finished on top of the ladder, while the Vixens (8-6) only just scraped into fourth. Just last week, the Vixens advanced to the decider after somehow overcoming a 10-goal three-quarter-time deficit in the preliminary final against a red-hot NSW Swifts, while the Fever rode a 13-game winning streak into the decider.
In front of a 15,013-strong Rod Laver Arena crowd, the Vixens opened the game in front, with captain Kate Moloney delivering a flawless centre pass, allowing star goal shooter Sophie Garbin to take the opening goal.
The Fever countered quickly, recovering the ball in their front third and delivering quickly to Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, the competition’s best shooter.
Fever defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney was a formidable obstacle to Garbin, interrupting and intercepting her several times. At the end of the first quarter the Fever had a two-goal lead heading into the super shot period, however the Vixens managed to score with a brilliant long shot.
Melbourne Vixens Kate Eddy and Hannah Mundy of the Vixens celebrate. Credit: Getty Images
Both teams upped the momentum in the second quarter, with the Vixens calling a timeout and captain Kate Moloney calling on the team to put their opponents under pressure. The third quarter saw the Vixens pull in front, much to the delight of the roaring Rod Laver Arena crowd.
Play intensified in the fourth, with the Vixens managing to pull ahead. Frustration in the Fever team saw them fumble some crucial passes as the clock ticked down and pressure intensified.
But they continued to target Fowler-Nembhard, and she continued to loom as the heartbreaker for the Vixens until the home side regained their composure in the dying minutes and held on to possession for dear life.
At the final whistle there were smiles, tears and cheers as the Vixens rushed from all corners to embrace each other as I gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas blared across the stadium.
In their third grand final against the Fever since 2020 (with the two sides locked at a win apiece, in 2020 and 2022), the Vixens won be the slimmest of margins.