THE Melbourne Vixens are set to host the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Round 3 of the Suncorp Super Netball this weekend at John Caine Arena. While there are some fierce competitors all the way along the court, the key matchup to go under the microscope is Kate Moloney and Karla Pretorius.

Melbourne Vixens vs. Sunshine Coast Lightning

Kate Moloney (WA) vs. Karla Pretorius (WD)

In something that the Suncorp Super Netball has never seen before, there is a chance that Moloney and Pretorius will be competing head to head in Round 2 of the SSN this weekend, as the Melbourne Vixens take on the Sunshine Coast Lightning.

With Liz Watson out for the season with a foot injury, 19 year-old Hannah Mundy was called up to fill her shoes for the Vixens. Mundy debuted for the Vixens in Round 1 of the SSN in wing attack, but it was clear that the reigning premiers were missing Watson’s hard drive off the transverse line, with the eventual decision last round to put Mundy into her preferred position of centre, resulting in moving captain Moloney out to the wing. This provided the Vixens with that strong lead they needed to make the journey to the post a little more smooth. Moloney plays hard and fast, finding a way to drive into the space, keeping up her endurance throughout the full 60 minutes on the court. She also has an amazing skill in directing and creating passages of play, and often leads the team for goal assists with her ability to find the edge of the ring and feed to the shooters. Having started her career as a wing defence, she understands a defenders mindset, making her a real threat to her opponents. Moloney also provides a cool, calm and collected option in the attack, making strong drives and proving reliable with ball in hand.

While normally settling in under the ring, Lightning decided to change up their defence in Round 1, with the addition of goal keeper Kate Shimmin allowing them to move seasoned defender Pretorius out to the transverse line to have a run in wing defence. Standing at 181cm, she is on the smaller side for a defender, but she does not let that stop her. She has an unmatched ability to to get her hand to those high balls, and is mostly clean in her execution, often leaving her opponents stunned. The connection she has with teammate Phumza Maweni adds to her game, often letting Maweni to set up under the ring and allowing Pretorius to go out hunting. As one of the older players on the court, she has a wealth of experience and knowledge behind her game, and help her teammates often by directing and setting up play passages of play all the way down the court.

The chance of Moloney and Pretorius competing head to head in Round 2 of the SSN is not all that great, but not impossible. If it comes to fruition, this is a matchup that fans have never really seen before. Both players boast amazing endurance to play to their full 60 minutes, as well as their skills in directing play down the court. Pretorius has a height advantage that, combined with her ability to get her hand to those high balls, Moloney may have trouble competing with. However, Moloney’s attacking skills and ability to drive hard and fast for the ball could make up for it, and she may just outpace Pretorius.

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