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
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