Vixens thump GIANTS in huge win

By Charlotte Knoke

The Melbourne Vixens have smashed the GIANTS by a whopping 19 goals after a clinical first half set them up for a huge victory. 

The GIANTS were desperate to get their first win of 2024 on the board, but the Vixens continued their dominant run and produced a strong four-quarter performance, notching another win under their belt this season.

In previous weeks, the GIANTS struggled to have a good start to their games, but Jamie-Lee Price immediately picked up ball to start the game on a good foot for her team.

Unfortunately for the home side, their momentum didn’t continue and the Vixens outplayed them.

In defence, Emily Mannix picked up multiple gains for the Vixens, while Jodi-Ann Ward started to put the pressure on the Vixens attackers but was unable to gain possession for her team.

The Vixens were clinical in attack, allowing them to continue ticking away on the scoreboard.

The GIANTS tried to stay in touch, but a few dropped balls and some miscommunication meant they gave up possession and were quite a few goals behind for the majority of the first quarter.

The Vixens continued their dominance and had momentum, ending the first quarter up 16-6.

The GIANTS once again made some mistakes to start the second quarter, with the attackers struggling to get the ball down to their shooters. Meanwhile, the Vixens continued their scoreboard dominance.

While the defenders were picking up some much-needed ball for the GIANTS, it seemed their attack end was stagnant which was their downfall.

The Vixens shooting combination of Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin was extremely strong, with the two of them continuously backing each other up and providing multiple options. 

At one point in the second quarter the Vixens stretched the margin to 18 goals, forcing the GIANTS coaches to make a number of changes. 

Sophie Dwyer was moved into unfamiliar territory at wing attack, Matisse Letherbarrow entered the court at goal shooter, and Erin O’Brien took the GK bib. 

Letherbarrow was impressive, with her quick baseline work on full display.

Once the Power Five period began in quarter two, it was the GIANTS who took advantage of the Super Shots. Letherbarrow sank two two-pointers, but the Vixens still ended the second quarter with a huge lead, up 31-14.

To start the second half, Mannix continued her mastery in the defensive end picking up yet another intercept for the Vixens.

The GIANTS continued struggling to get the ball into the shooting circle, and the Vixens’ lead grew even further.

Vixens shooter Lily Graham made her Suncorp Super Netball debut, but despite changing their lineup the Melbourne side’s momentum didn’t falter.

During the third Power Five period the GIANTS once again tried to score as many Super Shots as possible, but Mannix stopped the home side from doing much damage on the scoreboard.

Letherbarrow was able to score a few Super Shots but the Vixens headed into the final quarter up 48-29.

Desperate to reduce the deficit by as much as possible, the GIANTS started taking some risks in the final quarter.

The home side were able to get a few goals in quick succession, but they had to work hard to get them. Meanwhile, the Vixens continued playing their own game and kept ticking the scoreboard over.

The GIANTS once again utilised the final Power Five period to the best of their ability, with Jo Harten and Letherbarrow both sinking a few Super Shots. However, at the other side of the court, Austin also sank some of her own which prevented the GIANTS from reducing the margin by much.

In the end, the GIANTS were able to draw the final quarter but it was just too late, and the Vixens won the match 63-44.

Emily Mannix was named Player of the Match, notching up a huge 123 Nissan Net Points powered by e-power.