It was a relatively successful year for the minor premiers having put a disappointing 2021 season behind them.
The Melbourne Vixens soared up the ladder in 2022 but fell short of lifting the Suncorp Super Netball trophy with a loss to the West Coast Fever in this year’s grand final.
Despite that, their resurgence was impressive and in 2023 they’ll want to go one better, and looking ahead, there's no reason why they couldn't.
Here’s how the Vixens went from eighth place in 2021 to minor premiers in 2022.
SEASON REFLECTION
Despite finishing last in 2021, with a core group of athletes remaining from their 2020 premiership it’s no surprise the Vixens were able to fly up the ladder again in 2022.
Outfoxing every side throughout the 2022 season, before finals the Vixens only lost twice - once to a determined Collingwood outfit and the other to a fired up Sunshine Coast Lightning in round 5.
They won on average by five goals throughout the season, challenged by their opponents but they pushed through and found a way to win as they did in the dying seconds of the preliminary final against the GIANTS.
The Vixens defeated the GIANTS to make it to the 2022 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final.Returning after a season off with a navicular injury midcourter Liz Watson led the way alongside co-captain Kate Moloney.
The Vixens were bolstered with the additions of dynamic shooter Kiera Austin and defender Olivia Lewis.
Having debuted for the Vixens in 2021 Hannah Mundy and Rahni Samason shone brightly for the Vixens throughout 2022 in their first year as full-time contracted players for the club.
The Vixens started the season strongly going on an unbeaten four-match run before stumbling against the Lightning in Round 5. They then lost to Collingwood in round 7 before remaining undefeated until finals.
The team escaping with wins in thrillers in Round 8 against the Queensland Firebirds and Collingwood in round 14.
The Vixens lost in their semi final clash with the West Coast Fever, foreshadowing how the season would end.
The side dug deep the following week against the GIANTS in the preliminary final in front of a Victorian crowd to secure their spot in the league’s biggest day by a single goal - thanks to an Emily Mannix intercept.
Jo Weston and teammate Emily Mannix moments after winning the 2022 preliminary final.The Melbourne Vixens went on to lose the grand final by 11 goals, unable to keep up with a relentless West Coast Fever who had lost the Suncorp Super Netball trophy to the Vixens two years earlier.
BEST WIN
On the scoreboard the Vixens best win of the season was a 12-goal victory against the GIANTS in round 3.
But their win against the West Coast Fever in Perth during the season was also one to remember. The Vixens managed to silence the RAC Arena crowd with an impressive win.
DEFINING MOMENTS
There's no going past Emily Mannix’s intercept in the last minute of the preliminary final against the GIANTS that resulted in the Vixens going through to the grand final. It was a moment that won't easily be forgotten, not only by the team but also the crowd at John Cain Arena.
LOOKING FORWARD
The future looks bright for the Melbourne Vixens with the entire team re-signing for 2023. On paper the side has all the pieces of the puzzle to win next year's premiership but they will face fierce competition and a few losses along the way could see them fall short again.
You would expect the Vixens to finish in the top four but with the talent in the Suncorp Super Netball League continuing to grow and develop every year, it really is anyone's to win.
TEAM STATS
Ladder position: 1st
Wins: 12
Losses: 2
Biggest margin: 12
PLAYER STATS
Nissan Net Points: Liz Watson - 1116
Total Goals scored: Mwai Kumwenda - 540
Suncorp Super Shots scored: Kiera Austin - 28
Feeds: Liz Watson - 578
Interceptions: Jo Weston - 21
