SUNCORP Super Netball’s (SSN) reigning premiers fate was sealed last Thursday night, with the Melbourne Vixens going down to the West Coast Fever, ruling them out of contention for the finals. Despite the devastating blow, Vixens captain Kate Moloney continues to demonstrate her resilient spirit that has made her the star and leader that she is today.

“I’m probably just competitive like everyone else out there, you know you always want to just try and win, or if the win’s out of reach, just improving every quarter and making sure we continue to play netball that we’re proud of and that we’re going about our business the way that we want to,” Moloney said.

“We definitely have some things we can take away from [Thursday night’s] game, but we’ve got three games now to hopefully play some good netball and some netball that we’re really proud of as well.”

The loss against Fever did have a silver lining for the Vixens, with goaler Mwai Kumwenda celebrating her 100th SSN game. As last year’s grand final MVP, the Malawian is an extremely skilful shooter, and has quickly become a fan favourite as a result of her her infectious competitive energy that she displays on the court.

“It’s amazing for anyone to play 100 games in this competition and it takes a really long time but for someone like MJ, from where she’s come from, to play 100 games in Australia is absolutely incredible. She continues to inspire every single one of us each day and we are so lucky to have her as part of our team,” Moloney said.

The Vixens have seemingly struggled all season, having to find their consistency with practically a new attacking line-up after the retirements of Tegan Philip and Caitlin Thwaites, as well as losing co-captain Liz Watson to a foot injury before the 2021 season even got underway.

COVID-19 also managed to wreak havoc on the SSN fixture, with all the teams moving from state to state multiple times this season on very little notice. This has taken its toll on the players and coaches staff, including Moloney.

“This season has been absolutely crazy in terms of the uncertainty of what’s happening, and I think last year, as much as we were away for so long, we sort of knew we were going to be away for so long, whereas this year it’s kind of been from one state to the other and not knowing who you’re playing next or what’s going on,” she said.

“If we can get this season done it’s going to be pretty incredible and the team that takes it out should be extremely proud because it’s been one challenging year.”

Despite Watson sitting out the season, she continues to travel with the team, and in recent weeks has stepped into the role of assistant coach as a support for Simone McKinnis, with contracted assistant coaches Sharelle McMahon and Di Honey unable to join the team, who are now based in Queensland for the time being.

“[Watson] has been such an integral part of our Vixens team for so long and the leadership that she can offer, not on the court but off the court with us now has been great, and even just someone to chat to and someone for Hannah (Hannah Mundy) to go and talk to as well, she’s got so much knowledge in that wing attack position,” Moloney said about her teammate.

Stepping into Watson’s place, 20-year-old Mundy made her SSN debut in Round 1 of the 2021 season, and despite having a quiet start of the season, has settled into her role within the team to become an important part of the Vixens frontline.

“I love seeing her go out there and just you know work as hard as she possibly can, she listens to the coaches and she continues to grow,” Moloney said.

“For a lot of our girls, they didn’t get to play much netball last year… With COVID in Melbourne they didn’t get to play. So for her to come out this year and what she’s done has been incredible and I can’t wait to see what she can do in these last three games, and hopefully going forward in the future as well.”

As the season beings to draw to a close, Moloney finds some comfort in knowing almost for certain the plan now to make it to the end.

“For us finals is out of reach, we know we’ve got maybe two weeks here and then our season will be done, so there is a little bit more certainty around that.”

The Vixens will take on the GIANTS this Wednesday at 3:30pm at Nissan Arena.

Photo credit: Daily Liberal