For a team that went through its 2017 Suncorp Super Netball campaign with almost legendary durability, taking a virtually unchanged line-up through the entire season, it’s been a very different story so far this year.
And goal keeper Emily Mannix has been in the thick of it in more ways than one.
In Round 2 against the NSW Swifts, Mannix had no less than three different defensive partners rotate through the circle with her, with an ankle injury to fellow Diamonds defender Jo Weston seeing Kadie-Ann Dehaney injected into the game in the first half, while Chloe Watson also swung through the goal defence bib, before Weston returned to the contest after half-time.
Mannix says that while the changes did unsettle the team at times, as they watched a six-goal final-quarter lead evaporate before steadying to win by two goals, the team took it as a positive that their combinations and ability to adjust had been put under the microscope early in the season.
“It was different. I wasn’t really expecting that and it was probably a bit of a downfall for me that I wasn’t prepared for that, but you need to be prepared for anything,” she said.
“It was kind of good that that’s happened early on in the season, now knowing that anything can happen, and you just have to be able to adjust and adapt quickly.”
“I think that’ll be an asset for us, going forward, that no matter who’s on court and who’s changing around, it won’t really affect us.”
It’s not the only battle Mannix has faced, either, with the young star sidelined through much of pre-season with the lingering effects of a concussion.
While she’s now back to full health, fitness-wise she said she’s still got a way to go, which again will provide a boost to the team in the back half of the season.
“It was obviously not the greatest pre-season for me, but I’m trying to put that behind me now and really just get my confidence up to be able to go out there and compete and play hard with no fears,” she said.
“Technically it’s as if I’m only halfway through a pre-season, but things happen and I’m really just focusing on improving on all the little things and getting the match fitness back, which was evident out there on the weekend in goal defence.”
There’ll be no let-up for Mannix and the Vixens this week, with the in-form Queensland Firebirds awaiting on Hisense Arena on Saturday.
While the Vixens easily accounted for the Firebirds in both of their encounters last year, Mannix said she was expecting a major test this time around.
“Going from last week and their form, I think they’re going to be wanting to go out there and give us a really good crack,” she said.
“Hopefully not, but I think it’ll be another close one. We’re getting used to those close games now, but I think they’ll come out hard and try to get on top of us early.”
“We’ve been speaking a lot at training and Simone (coach Simone McKinnis) is really about focusing on us, more than the opposition. Obviously, you look at what they’re going to be doing and how you want to beat it, but a lot of the focus is on us and improving the little things.”
The Vixens could be sweating on the availability of Weston, who is critical to the team’s chances of shutting down Firebirds goal attack Gretel Tippett and goal shooter Romelda Aiken but will need to be ruled fit to play.
“She’s been to gym today and it’s a little bit taped up, which is precautionary, but the physios and support staff will just monitor her and we’ve got our court session tomorrow (Wednesday), so hopefully she’ll be fighting fit and ready to play on Saturday,” Mannix said.
The Melbourne Vixens take on the Queensland Firebirds on Saturday 12 May at 3pm at Hisense Arena. The match will be broadcast live on Channel 9.
