Firebirds cause upset over Vixens
FIRST Nations Round concluded with the in-form Queensland Firebirds getting a five-goal upset over the Melbourne Vixens who are losing their footing at the wrong time of the season.
It was a topsy turvy outing with neither side really getting an upper hand and running away with it out of the blocks.
The Firebirds stuck with their starting seven and just let them play it out which proved to work as it gave everyone a chance to gel and build those connections up over the Vixens who are still playing around with their midcourt and keeper position.
Vixens led by as much as four in the second term, but a super shot miss changed the momentum into the Firebirds favour with Wallam slotting a well suited super shot down the other end. The Firebirds went on to lead by five heading into the main break.
Proud Noongar woman Donnell Wallam (71 goals) donned some artwork in the first term, showing her culture in front of the Firebirds home ground.
The formidable Cougars defensive lineup for the Firebirds were everywhere in defence racking up 16 deflections and two intercepts shared between them.
Hannah Mundy (111.5 NNPs, 28 goal assists, 46 feeds and one intercept) had a monstrous 60 minutes racking up 82.5 NNPs in the first half alone and becoming the dominant feeder into the shooting circle which is normally Liz Watson’s job.
Workhorse for the Firebirds in Leesa Mi Mi (86 NNPs, 24 goal assists, 31 feeds) had been showing up lately against the Diamonds midcourt. Playing out of position, she’s racking up the attacking stats and winning the ball back when she throws it away.
The shooting accuracy for the Vixens overall let them down with them not able to punish their opposition when they rarely won the ball.
The Firebirds solidified the game scoring seven out of the last 10 goals and put the pressure on the Vixens ahead of their finals campaign.
Player of the Match = Donnell Wallam (Queensland Firebirds)
QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS 19 | 20 | 17 | 20 (76)
MELBOURNE VIXENS 21 | 15 | 19 | 16 (71)
STARTING SEVENS
Queensland Firebirds
GS: Donnell Wallam
GA: Emily Moore
WA: Lara Dunkley
C: Leesa Mi Mi
WD: Kim Ravaillion
GD: Ruby Bakewell-Doran
GK: Remi Kamo
Melbourne Vixens
GS: Mwai Kumwenda
GA: Kiera Austin
WA: Hannah Mundy
C: Liz Watson
WD: Kate Moloney
GD: Jo Weston
GK: Olivia Lewis
England draws first blood in the Horizon Series
ENGLAND has taken a 1-0 lead over Jamaica in the four match Horizon Series. After a nail biting finish to the first game 24 hours ago, England has claimed the first win of the series. After a tight first half, the Roses shifted into gear to win the match by eight-goals thanks to brilliant defence. […]
Horizon Series begins in a 49-all draw
A DRAW kicked off the Horizon Series between England and Jamaica thanks to clinical end-to-end transition from the Jamaicans. A 49-49 result summed up the calibre of both of these sides with several big time players shining throughout. A formidable defensive end for the Sunshine Girls was up against an ever so growing shooting combination […]
Diamonds win match, but Kiwis still come away with big prize
THE AUSTRALIAN Diamonds have avoided an undesired series whitewash against New Zealand, winning the final match of the 2024 Constellation Cup 63 goals to 50. Proceedings were tight early, but then the Diamonds were able to really put their foot down in the second and third quarters to really open up the game on […]
Kiwis claim series over disappointed Aussies
NEW ZEALAND has won the 2024 Constellation Cup after beating Australia 61-43 in the third test to claim the series. Diamonds’ coach Stacey Marinkovich swung the changes pre match, making three changes to the match day squad and a couple to the starting seven, but ultimately the outcome was the same result. By contrast New […]
Kiwis go two up, but not all hope lost for Aussies
NEW ZEALAND’S stranglehold of Constellation Cup matches in New Zealand has continued, after downing Australia again to take a 2-0 lead in the 2024 series. In what might have felt like a sense of déjà vu for Australia and its fans, New Zealand had a strong first half which really catapulted them to the successful […]
Kiwis crush Aussies to cause upset and go one up
NEW ZEALAND has put behind it some poor recent results and kept their strangehold on matches against Australia played in New Zealand, after winning Test 1 of the Constellation Cup 64-50. The game started out tight, but New Zealand surged ahead in the second term, turning a one goal quarter time lead into a nine […]
Kiwis claim consolation win in Taini Jamison series
NEW ZEALAND has won the third match of the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy, winning 61-56 over England to pick up a consolation win despite having lost the series already. The match was tight early, but New Zealand pulled away in the end and contended with multiple England fightbacks to take the win. Early it was […]
Roses rule over Ferns again to win Taini Jamison
ENGLAND has defeated New Zealand again, winning the second test 59 goals to 55 to take the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy. New Zealand was the better side in the first half, but after a massive third term the Roses took back control and ultimately held on for the win. New Zealand was the side to […]
England outlasts New Zealand to go one up in series
ENGLAND has got its visit to New Zealand off to the perfect start, defeating the Silver Ferns 59 goals to 58 in a hard fought first test of the Taini Jamison Trophy. After a bit of a chaotic start to the game, the Silver Ferns got off to a strong start and put the first two […]
