By Charlotte Knoke
The Melbourne Vixens produced a strong fourth-quarter, winning by five goals against GIANTS Netball in the final minutes of the match. Finishing the final quarter 15 - 10, the Vixens sealed the win (62-57) at their home venue.
The Vixens and GIANTS were goal-for-goal for the first five minutes of their match at John Cain Arena, but a held ball from GIANTS shooter Jo Harten meant the ball was turned over into the Vixens’ possession.
After a three-goal run from the Vixens, GIANTS coach Julie Fitzgerald called a time-out to try and slow the opposition’s momentum.
But the Vixens’ score line started creeping away from the GIANTS as their shooters, Mwai Kumwenda & Keira Austin, were accurate early.
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 super shot zone.
An offensive contact against Jamie-Lee Price gave the Vixens possession and with a centre pass to follow, they were able to regain their three goal lead going into the second quarter (15-12).
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 five goals.
There was a bit of confusion in the GIANTS shooter-to-shooter combination of Harten and Dwyer, giving Vixens possession and allowing them to take their lead out to seven.
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 super shot attempts that missed, and the Vixens were able to convert.
A miscommunication between Watson and Kumwenda meant the ball ended up in the possession of GIANTS GK Lauren Moore, and Dwyer sunk two super shots in a row, bringing the margin back to three.
Harten then was able to sink a super shot of her own and suddenly the GIANTS were only down by one.
Austin reciprocated for the Vixens and scored her own super shot, then Dwyer sunk another one, keeping the margin at one going into the second half (30-29).
Strong defensive pressure from the Melbourne Vixens forced some errors from the GIANTS early in the 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 super shot off the hand of Jo Harten.
Another super shot 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 super shots for the Vixens to reduce the deficit, and Austin then scored another one.
Scores were even going into the final quarter (47-47).
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 two 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 super shots 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 super shots 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).
