IT is safe to say that that 2020 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) has not gone to plan for many teams, but despite all the hardships and global pandemic, two teams in the Melbourne Vixens and West Coast Fever have pushed through the difficulties and come out the other side, set to hit the court on Sunday afternoon for the grand final.

The Melbourne Vixens were the team to beat during the season, prevailing throughout to come out minor premiers despite the struggles – firstly a move up to Queensland, and then battling some late-season injuries. Vixens co-captain Kate Moloney is proud of her team and what they have achieved despite all the setbacks, with consistency across the playing group and court craft right up there this season. 

“For us I think it really has been that consistency across the season but also within games. Being able to play four consistent quarters, but then being able to back it up and go again,” Moloney said. “I think the second thing that I’ve seen that’s been really different probably has been just the depth that we have within our squad of 14 players that we’re able to bring, and players being able to step on and impact and if someone’s a little bit off, someone else is able to step on and really take it with both hands and I think that’s been great.”

While the Fever played in a grand final just two seasons ago, the last time the Melbourne Vixens appeared in the championship game was back in 2014 – a grand final they won after making it through finals in straight sets.

“It was six years ago and I don’t remember much of it to be completely honest… to be honest, it’s hard to remember all the way back then but, you know, I’ve been lucky enough to play in lots of big games since and there’s just an excitement, you know, this is where we wanted to be at the start of the year,” Moloney said. “Our goal was to be playing in that grand final match and we’ve given ourselves an opportunity now and now it’s just about going out there and performing.”

The Vixens’ excellent season saw a couple of injury stints to key cogs Liz Watson, Emily Mannix and Kate Eddy who were forced to the sidelines for brief stints, with Moloney suggesting that the extended bench played a significant role in keeping the ball rolling with so many youngsters stepping up to the plate.

“It’s been awesome to see those girls get an opportunity and then not only for them to get the opportunity, to get to be able to grab it with both hands and really show what they can do,” Moloney said.“I think we’ve seen that across this whole season in all teams, just young girls getting an opportunity to go out there and showcase what they can do, and for us it was Allie Smith last week when Kate Eddy didn’t play.” 

“We’ve seen Elle McDonald and Tayla Honey come on at different times, you know, Lizzy was out for a couple of weeks there and so they got their opportunities and I think every time one of them has stepped on they’ve just gone out and played their role and it’s been pretty seamless.”

Moloney herself sent shockwaves around Victorian fans during the major semi final against the Sunshine Coast Lightning a few weeks ago, going down with a “stinger” ankle roll, and while McDonald was forced to take the court for a brief period Moloney was fortunately right as rain to get back on the court.

“I’m absolutely fine! I was a little bit soft, I think, it hurt at the time, but no, I’ll be absolutely fine,” Moloney said. “I’m super positive that Kate Eddy will play, fingers crossed. I don’t have any inside word but I’m pretty confident she’s confident so we’ll just have to wait and see now, she’ll train with us for our main session on Thursday and then we’ll go from there.”

When speaking of the developing talent coming up through the Netball Victoria pathways, one cannot ignore the gaping holes the Vixens will have in their front-line next season with Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip both announcing their retirement following the grand final.

“They’ve been two amazing players for Victoria for so long, all throughout the Victorian pathway… it would be super special to be able to send them off with a win on Sunday,” she said. “I think the role that the three goalers this year have being able to play with MJ (Mwai Kumwenda), Caitlin and Tegan really sharing that circle and every week it’s like one of them steps up and really takes takes it on and if someone’s not, someone else is able to come on and change it up. I think the role those three have played in sharing that circle has been a real positive for us this year.”

Looking towards the grand final itself, the Vixens come in as the favourites given they finished top of the ladder, though Moloney and the team are well aware of how great the Fever’s backend of the season has been. Vixens have taken on the Fever twice this year, coming away with a win in Round 5 and their lone draw of the season in Round 10. While the draw saw the Vixens fight back from a 14-goal deficit, they were missing Mannix back in goal keeper, making for an intriguing battle this time around.

“I think the key when you play against a team with such a dominant shooter like Fever have is just really creating a shield for your goalkeeper and enabling them to be able to come out and get ball, if the middies are hitting the circle edge it’s so easy for them to feed into their goalers,” Moloney said. “I have so much confidence in Emily and KD (Kadie-Ann Dehaney) back there, they’ll hopefully be able to get the job done, they’ve had amazing seasons both of them and we’ve got to really protect them and put the defensive pressure on out in front of them.”

Moloney herself will take on one of the most improved and dynamic midcourters this season in Verity Charles, who has proven crucial this season feeding the ball into tall timber Jhaniele Fowler at the post.

“Verity’s had a great season this year and she’s a player that can run all day,” Moloney said, explaining how the Vixens will attempt to nullify Charles’ influence. “We know that her connection with Jhaniele Fowler is really, really strong and it can be really hard to get back ball if we leave it all the way to that goalkeeper opportunity, so we know we’re going to shut their midcourters down out the front, that’s going to be the key, that defensive pressure from goal shooter all the way down and yeah hopefully we can get some ball off their middies out the front and not leave it up to our defenders in the circle.”

Wile the two midcourters have plenty of recent history on the SSN stage, Moloney brought up a fun fact about the last time they met under similar circumstances.

“I was thinking the other day though, in that (2014) grand final I actually matched up against Verity as well, so she was the wing attack for Queensland Firebirds and I played wing defence in that Grand Final,” Moloney laughed. “A little bit strange that the two grand finals I’ll play in will potentially both be against Verity.”

Moloney is looking forward to channelling her excitement into some success for the Vixens.

“I think at the moment it really is just that excitement, I’m sure the nerves will come when it gets close to the game but it’s just been business as usual for us this week and yeah we just can’t wait to get out on court.”

“This season is just so different in so many ways, and it’s been one of the toughest years but it’s been amazing to be a part of as well,” Moloney said. “I think whoever holds up that trophy at the end on Sunday, it’s going to be a pretty special one to have.” 

“I think there’s just a belief within this group this year that we can do it so fingers crossed that it all works out for us on Sunday and we can go out and perform really well.”

As for Victorian fans back at home still in tight restrictions, Moloney says the entire team wants to bring the trophy home not just as a testament to their season, but also for the fans that have stuck by them throughout such a tough season.

“Every time we’ve hit that court, Victoria has been top of mind and we know how tough it has been back in Victoria… our goal is to take that trophy back home to Victoria and hopefully we can make everyone proud,” Moloney said. “We know how lucky we are to have such amazing fans at the Melbourne Vixens, but to have the support of all of Victoria and hopefully we can put a smile on everyone’s face back home on Sunday afternoon.”

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Centre Pass Podcast: SSN Grand Final preview: Kate Moloney & Courtney Bruce interview // Centre Pass Podcast: Round 14 review & Emily Mannix interview

Elle McDonald ready for the next step // Diamond Liz Watson focused on Super Netball success with Melbourne Vixens

Verity Charles: Mindset is the key to Fever’s resurgence // Courtney Bruce: West Coast Fever have one eye on the prize