The Vixens produced a strong fourth-quarter, winning by 5 goals against GIANTS Netball in the final minutes of the match. Finishing the final quarter 15 - 10, the Vixens sealed the win at their home venue.
First Quarter
The Melbourne Vixens and GIANTS Netball were goal-for-goal for the first five minutes of their match at John Cain Arena, but the first of one too many held balls for the GIANTS was called and the the ball was turned over into the Vixens’ possession.
After a 3-goal run from the Vixens, GIANTS coach Julie Fitzgerald called a time-out to try and slow the opposition’s momentum.
Some unforced errors from the GIANTS hurt their side as they were giving away possession. However, they were able to claw their way back to even in the final few minutes of the quarter, due to their patience and Sophie Dwyer’s hot-hand in the supershot zone.
An error from the GIANTS again gave the Vixens possession and with a centre pass to follow, they were able to regain their 3-goal lead going into the second quarter (15-12).
Second Quarter
Jo Weston picked up a rebound early in the second quarter and the Vixens tried to move quickly down the court, but the GIANTS’ defence was strong and slowed them down. They eventually got the ball to Austin who capitalised.
A clean intercept from Mannix was converted by the Vixens who made quick work to get the ball down the court to Austin.
The Vixens started the second quarter strongly, extending their lead out to seven goals.
The GIANTS' coach called another time-out to settle the team and encourage them to embrace the challenge of the match.
Following the time-out, April Brandley picked up an intercept for the GIANTS and Harten capitalised.
As soon as the Power Five started, Dwyer and Harten both had supershot attempts that missed, and the Vixens were able to convert.
GIANTS' Lauren Moore entered the game part way through the second quarter and made immediate impact for the GIANTS.
Sophie Dwyer continued her slick shooting sinking two supershots in a row, bringing the margin back to 3 and then Harten joined in, brining the margin down to one.
Austin reciprocated for the Vixens and scored her own supershot, but Dwyer responded yet again, keeping the margin at 1 going into the second half (30-29).
Third Quarter
The Vixens shooting combination between Kumwenda and Austin was looking strong, but a dropped ball in the Vixens shooting end was picked up by Moore and the GIANTS midcourters easily found Dwyer on the baseline who capitalised, bringing the sides back to even.
Every ball was hotly contested by the GIANTS midcourt and defence end, and they picked up another loose ball from the Vixens shooting end, and the timing of the feed from Dwyer to Harten was perfect, allowing them to take the lead.
But Vixens GA Keira Austin got a deflection off of the GIANTS centre pass, and brought the game back to even.
GIANTS defenders Brandley and Moore confused the space and forced a turnover, and an offside call against Liz Watson meant the GIANTS gained possession and scored a supershot off the hand of Jo Harten.
Another supershot for the GIANTS, this time from Dwyer, brought them out to a 4-goal lead which prompted Vixens coach Simone McKinnis to call a time-out.
Following the time-out, Kumwenda scored two of her own supershots for the Vixens to reduce the deficit, and Austin then scored another one.
Scores were even going into the final quarter (47-47).
Fourth Quarter
Both sides started the final quarter goal-for-goal.
Dwyer was calm and consistent with her shooting, even under the pressure of Weston and Mannix’s defence.
A missed shot from Austin gave the GIANTS possession and Dwyer converted. With a centre pass to follow, they were able to gain a 2-goal lead.
The Vixens defensive end picked up a loose ball, and the midcourters made quick work of getting the ball down the court for Kumwenda to score and bring scores back to level.
The Power 5 played an essential role due to the levelled game. Missed supershots from both Dwyer and Harten meant the Vixens took possession. They started to run down the clock, trying to take advantage of their lead.
The multiple missed supershots were detrimental to the GIANTS as they were picked up and capitalised on by the Vixens, ending up with a 5-goal lead to finish the game (62-57).
