Vixens Clinch Super Netball Title in Dramatic Upset

From “Pub?” to Champions: Underdogs Fight to the Finish

A candid suggestion to visit the local pub after a string of dismal performances ignited an extraordinary turnaround for the Melbourne Vixens, culminating in an improbable Super Netball Grand Final victory.

From Bottom Four Fears to Grand Final Glory

Facing a season that seemed destined for a bottom-four finish, with only two wins in their first six games and coach Simone McKinnis announcing her departure after 2026, the Vixens found a new gear. They went on to secure victory in nine of their next eleven matches, clinching nail-biting wins in the semi-finals and preliminary finals to reach the championship decider.

Overcoming the Unstoppable Fever

The path to the grand final pitted the Vixens against the formidable West Coast Fever, who had been virtually unstoppable since the return of their towering goal shooter, Jamaican captain Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard. The Fever had inflicted a record 13 consecutive defeats on the Vixens earlier in the season and appeared unbeatable.

However, through sheer grit, unwavering spirit, and a desperate will to win, the Vixens lifted the trophy. They successfully disrupted the Fever’s preferred playing style, ultimately securing a dramatic one-goal victory.

A Tense and Physical Grand Final Battle

The championship match commenced with uncharacteristic errors from both sides, underscored by relentless physicality from the opening whistle. In the initial supershot period, neither team was willing to take an early risk near the attacking arc. The Vixens broke the deadlock when Kiera Austin calmly converted, and a pivotal intercept by Vixens’ goal keeper Rudi Ellis in front of Fowler-Nembhard shifted momentum, giving the Vixens a one-goal lead at the end of the first quarter.

Scrappy Play Favours Vixens’ Intensity

The second quarter was a scrappy affair, with numerous turnovers and disrupted passes. This chaotic style of play proved advantageous for the Vixens, who excelled at pouncing on loose balls. The Fever, preferring a cleaner, more clinical approach, struggled to match the Vixens’ heightened intensity and desperation. Despite the midfield battles, the Vixens maintained a narrow two-goal advantage at halftime.

Vixens Extend Lead Through Fierce Determination

In the third quarter, the Vixens accelerated, thriving on the contest’s fierce energy to build their lead. Wing attack Hannah Mundy made a much-anticipated return to the court to a rousing reception. Goal defence Jo Weston delivered an inspirational performance, throwing herself into every contest with remarkable vigour. Notably, she contested a high ball to Fowler-Nembhard, forcing a turnover. Mundy then capitalized, ensuring the turnover resulted in a goal and solidifying the Vixens’ dominance in the quarter, taking a five-goal lead into the final break.

Fever Fight Back, But Vixens Hold On

The final quarter continued the Vixens’ control, with their playing style proving more effective than their opponents’. However, a crucial timeout midway through the period swung momentum back to the Fever, allowing them to reduce the deficit to three goals.

The final five minutes were a blur of frantic action. Ellis powerfully defended the Vixens’ circle, creating a deflection that the Vixens seized. Although Austin missed the subsequent supershot, Weston regained possession in a contest with Olivia Wilkinson, leading to a desperate, end-to-end play.

With less than a minute remaining, Fowler-Nembhard narrowed the margin to one with a rare supershot. However, the Vixens skillfully managed the subsequent centre pass, retaining possession until the final whistle sealed their improbable victory.

Now, the Vixens and coach McKinnis can finally celebrate with that well-deserved pub visit.