By Charlie McKay
Melbourne Vixens claim consecutive wins for the first time in 2025, overcoming the GIANTS 71-61 in Sydney on Sunday afternoon.
The win marks a return to consistent form for the Vixens, and while the GIANTS delivered a spirited performance, they remain at the bottom of the ladder with just one win for the season.
Former Silver Ferns captain and centurion Casey Kopua made a surprise return to elite netball, joining the GIANTS as a temporary replacement player for Jodi-Ann Ward, who sustained a season-ending ACL tear in Round 7.
The bolstered GIANTS outfit came out firing, racing to a 7-2 lead early and showcasing an energy that has been largely missing this season.
Kopua’s presence was immediately felt, with the Vixens struggling to penetrate in attack and conceding four rebounds in the opening term.
GIANTS took a 19-15 lead into quarter time.
Kopua retired in 2019 after leading New Zealand to a World Cup title.Erin O’Brien was in scintillating form, racking up five gains in the first half despite playing in the unfamiliar goal defence position.
Matisse Letherbarrow made it rain in the Power Five, sinking six super shots from ten attempts across the first two quarters.
But the Vixens kept in touch, producing slick ball movement in attack to stay in the contest.
The away team clinched the second term but GIANTS kept their nose in front, leading 35-33 at half time.
Vixens crept ahead in the third, finding composure while the GIANTS' play became increasingly frantic.
Rudi Ellis led a defensive surge, collecting five gains and igniting blistering transition play that left the GIANTS flat-footed.
It became a long-range shoot out in the Power Five, with Letherbarrow and Kiera Austin exchanging super shots at either end.
Austin was player of the match, with 22 goals and 20 assistsLeading 53–51 at the final break, the Vixens continued to push ahead in the fourth term.
They found rhythm in attack and lifted their intensity in defence, taking the sting out of the Sydney crowd and piling scoreboard pressure onto the GIANTS.
Letherbarrow and Sophie Dwyer were forced to turn to the super shot late, but the pressure proved too much to handle.
A final buzzer-beater from Austin sealed the deal, giving the Vixens their biggest margin of the game in a 71–61 victory.
GIANTS will rue a poor final quarter performance and a high general play turnover count that ultimately cost them the match.
They'll head to Adelaide next week to take on the Thunderbirds, while Vixens return home to play the Mavericks in a Melbourne derby.
