LAST weekend saw the Melbourne Vixens, Queensland Firebirds, West Coast Fever and Collingwood Magpies all head to Bendigo for their final pre-season hit out. Each team played two games each with the Melbourne Vixens winning both their clashes, while the Fever and Magpies claimed the one win. With a big weekend of netball action there is plenty to draw from the games with some big injury concerns and talking points for all four clubs.

Collingwood Magpies
Collingwood looked strong against the West Coast Fever but injury concerns were sent through the Magpies camp in their game against the Vixens with veteran and co-captain Madi Browne forced from the court after suffering an injury. Her sister Kelsey Browne also sustained an injury during the weekend hit out. Prior to their injuries both players provided great dynamism in the attacking third and showcased their creativity with ball in hand. The Magpies seemed to gel well down the court with their strong link up play and clever drives. Kim Ravaillion looked like her vintage self, impressing with some strong drives to the top of the circle, clever feeds into the circle and two-way running a real feature of her game. In the goal circle, Shimona Nelson had moments of brilliance but her soft hands and inconsistency cost her at times, while the ever-reliable Nat Medhurst starred with her lovely high shots, impeccable timing and general netball smarts setting up plays across the court. Defensively the pairing of Geva Mentor and April Brandley continued to improve with both working well to cover their shooting counterparts.

Melbourne Vixens
The Vixens showcased their class across the court highlighting their precision with ball in hand and slick movement. Youngster Lara Dunkley was solid through the middle with her strong hands and good drives. While the combinations of Caitlin Thwaites, Tegan Philip and Ine-Mari Venter continued to develop with the shooter to shooter interplay impressive. All three proved that accuracy is no problem and can put up a fair amount of shots. The Vixens played around with their defensive structure throughout the game moving Emily Mannix out to goal defence at times allowing Kadie -Ann Dehaney to sit back in keeper. She was impressed with her hands over pressure, quick feet to get into position and general ability to read the play. Liz Watson was once again dominant hitting the circle edge with ease and using the angles well to create space for her shooters.

Queensland Firebirds
The Firebirds proved that they are still a team to watch given their ability to transition down the court with great pace and precision. Gretel Tippett and Romelda Aiken were once again their dominant selves in the goal circle with their impeccable connection proving hard to stop at times. Aiken ventured out of the circle more throughout the practice matches in Bendigo allowing Tippett to drive into the circle and open it up. Wing attack Caitlin Nevins was good at the top of the circle and displayed her ability to read the space with some clever feeds into the circle. Defensively the Firebirds lacked that sense of experience and composure with ball in hand but the connection with Laura Clemesha and Tara Hinchliffe is continuing to develop. Tippah Dawn also got some court time and proved to be a handy addition to the squad with her clever passes, sweet shots and dodges in the goal circle. Youngster, Macy Gardner also had her moment to shine for Queensland with some timely feeds into the goal circle.

West Coast Fever
With Jamaican shooting star, Jhaniele Fowler back on the court the Fever looked much more potent in attack however it was not enough to get them over the line against Collingwood. Fowler’s accuracy and volume was never the issue instead it was the delivery into the circle that limited her ability to dominate under the post. Missing the experience and knowledge of Nat Medhurst, Kaylia Stanton seemed to struggle with the heavy work load out in goal attack while Alice Teague-Neeld did not get much court time. Stanton did however do some damage on the scoreboard sinking some nice long range shots. Defensively the Fever made some tactical changes throughout their matches moving Stacey Francis into wing defence and Courtney Bruce into goal defence allowing youngster Olivia Lewis to make her presence felt in at goal keeper. Verity Charles worked tirelessly through the centre with some clever cuts and drives, while Jess Anstiss had some impressive moments picking up a few tips to disrupt her oppositions attacking flow.