By Charlie McKay
Melbourne Vixens have emerged 67-59 victors over Melbourne Mavericks in a high-intensity derby clash at John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Mavericks were riding high after a dominant 15-goal win over GIANTS in Round 3, but the week off in between may have stalled their momentum.
Meanwhile, the Vixens were eager to bounce back from a ten-goal loss to the Fever, looking to make a statement in their second straight game on Melbourne soil.
Momentum was hard to come by in the opening term as the cross-town rivals fought for possession in a physical contest.
Mavericks reconciled an early Vixens break, clearing defensive zones and firing the ball into Shimona Jok from high in the goal third.
But Vixens took a 16-15 lead into quarter time thanks to a long bomb from Kiera Austin – her 200th super shot in SSN history.
It was a physical battle between the two Melbourne sidesVixens stamped their authority in the second term.
Sophie Garbin held strong under the post, and Austin came alive in the Power Five.
Scoreboard pressure forced the Mavericks’ hand, with Sasha Glasgow missing three super shot attempts.
Vixens capitalised on every win, remarkably converting 100 per cent of their gains across the match.
Struggling to find answers, the Mavericks headed into half-time trailing 26-35.
Vixens continued to punish in the third term, increasing their ball speed and lifting the intensity across the court.
Despite winning more ball and controlling time in possession, Mavericks struggled to translate gains into goals.
Head coach Tracey Neville injected Uneeq Palavi in goal attack and Jessie Grenvold in keeper to shift momentum, but the changes had little impact against a clinical Vixens outfit.
Vixens took a 52-40 lead into three-quarter time.
Sophie Garbin was dominant under the postMavericks lifted their urgency and intent in the final term, clawing back the deficit to only seven goals.
But Vixens held their nerve, powering home despite a late Mavericks super shot surge.
Garbin won player of the match, slotting 45 goals at 88 per cent.
Vixens will come up against a formidable Swifts line-up in Sydney next week, while the Mavericks travel to Perth to take on an in-form Fever.
