Melbourne Vixens Confident They Can Break West Coast Fever in Super Netball Grand Final
The Melbourne Vixens are brimming with confidence as they prepare to face the formidable West Coast Fever in what promises to be a thrilling Super Netball grand final showdown. With the championship on the line, the Vixens believe they have the tactical discipline, mental resilience, and team chemistry required to dethrone the defending champions and claim the coveted title.
Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated clash, Vixens’ head coach Simone McKinnis expressed unwavering belief in her squad’s ability to rise to the occasion. “We respect the Fever — they are an outstanding team — but we know what we’re capable of. We’ve done the hard work, and our players are hungry for this win,” McKinnis said.
The Vixens have been in strong form leading up to the grand final, showing versatility in attack and composure under pressure. Led by the inspirational Kate Moloney, the team’s midcourt has been a pillar of consistency, with Liz Watson orchestrating attacking plays and Kiera Austin providing pinpoint shooting accuracy alongside the sharp finishing of Mwai Kumwenda.
One of the biggest challenges the Vixens face is containing Fever’s star shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, whose towering presence and scoring efficiency have been a game-changer all season. However, Melbourne’s defensive pairing of Jo Weston and Emily Mannix have been training intensively to disrupt Fever’s attacking flow and cut supply to their shooting circle.
“We know Fowler is a force, but netball is a team game. If we can put pressure on their feeders and force errors, we can limit her impact,” Weston explained.
The rivalry between the two sides has intensified in recent years, with matches often decided by narrow margins. The Vixens’ camp is determined to avoid a repeat of last year’s disappointment, when Fever clinched the title with a dominant final-quarter performance. This time, Melbourne plans to match intensity from the first whistle to the last, focusing on precision passing, defensive pressure, and capitalising on turnovers.
Fans are already calling it one of the most eagerly awaited finals in Super Netball history. Both sides have passionate supporter bases, and with the match set to be played in front of a capacity crowd, the atmosphere promises to be electric.
Moloney, known for her leadership both on and off the court, summed up the team’s mindset: “We’ve been building towards this moment all season. We trust each other, and we’re ready to leave everything out there. This isn’t just about winning a trophy — it’s about proving to ourselves that we can beat the best.”
As the countdown to the grand final continues, the Melbourne Vixens’ belief in their ability to break West Coast Fever’s dominance remains unshaken. Whether they can execute their game plan under the pressure of the championship stage will be the ultimate test — but one thing is certain: the Vixens are ready for battle.