IN the big match that decided who goes forth to the preliminary final next Saturday, the Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies had a battle for state netball bragging rights and a spot in finals. We attended the match and took notes on two players from each side, analysing their impact on the match.

Jo Weston (GD) v. Nat Medhurst (GA)

Melbourne Vixens: Jo Weston

The Vixens were off to a flying start, with Weston leading the charge defensively. Her drive down the court transitioning back to attack was second to none, flying down court with Renae Ingles and producing plenty of options to reset throughout. With only two penalties to her name in the first, her work was not done so much on the ball but instead creating issues for Nat Medhurst both in and outside the circle to block drives. The second quarter saw much the same with Weston and partner in crime Emily Mannix working overtime to confuse the space and attack the hands. Their ability to switch in the circle provided plenty of turnover ball, racking up 11 turnovers from the Magpies attack end by half time. Despite some soreness during the third term after a collision with Magpie Kimiora Poi, Weston continued to find space and opportunity to create turnovers and apply hands over pressure on Medhurst, who was then forced to take shots she may have usually passed off. Weston’s cleanliness in the circle did not go amiss, picking up only 13 penalties for the match and three gains (two intercepts, one deflection to advantage), while her clever timing keeping Medhurst away from the ball and circle meant Mannix had a much more straightforward task in the circle.

Collingwood Magpies: Nat Medhurst

With issues across the court and playing with a couple of cracked ribs the goal attack struggled to have her usual impact both in the circle and across the court. With speedster Kelsey Browne out of the side and Poi in wing attack, the Vixens exploited Medhurst’s game-making outside the circle from the get-go, denying her dynamic drive into the circle and limiting her to only seven goals at 78 per cent for the match. While Medhurst’s ability to play a similar role to a wing attack and still be accurate to post is second to none, she was unable to find as much of the ball as she would have liked and found herself losing valuable ball, unable to find a free player in attack. Despite her silky footwork and speed darting around the court, her precision was impaired by the Vixens’ hands over pressure and blocking of channels all down the court. However, Medhurst still put on a show credit to her cleanliness with ball in hand and timing of the drive, feeding effortlessly to Shimona Nelson at the post and using her game smarts to evade her defenders. While she also picked up 11 centre pass receives and only the one penalty to her name, it was the 10 general play turnovers and loss of ball that left Medhurst and ultimately the Magpies wanting more.

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Caitlin Thwaites (GS) v. Geva Mentor (GK)

Melbourne Vixens: Caitlin Thwaites

The Melbourne Vixens recruit did not put a foot wrong, finding plenty of ball from the get-go to pair with Tegan Philip at the post. The shooting duo well and truly won the battle in the goal circle making the most of their opportunities. Finishing with 29 goals from 33 attempts at 88 per cent, Thwaites was impeccable using her body to control space in the circle, holding her ground to receive feeds and create space for Philip to drive into. Her long reach came in handy against the skill and experience of Geva Mentor, rebounding precious ball to put her side in front again and again. While used to staying inside the circle and waiting for the ball, Thwaites used her game smarts to switch up gameplay and turn the circle on its head with her drive out of the circle, opening up space at the post to allow Philip to take control. Thwaites missed four attempts but won back ball picking up two rebounds, giving Philip the security to shoot from range with Thwaites strong at the post. Her clever timing on the shot and low release ensured Mentor and fellow circle defender April Brandley could not deflect or defend the ball with ease, while her speed off the mark allowed her to drive to get the rebound or loose ball when required.

Collingwood Magpies: Geva Mentor

With the Vixens starting strong it was always going to be a tough contest, and while Mentor certainly imposed herself from the get-go, she did not have the desired impact with the Vixens clearly having done their homework after last week’s loss to the Pies. Mentor was slow to start, with plenty of work done by her fellow defenders to create opportunities early. However once the Vixens took control of the attack they did not look back, with Mentor and Brandley unable to stop the attacking movement and momentum from the Vixens. Though Mentor was quiet in the first half, she well and truly came out of the gates in the second half to find valuable ball and spur her side into action down the court. Her teamwork with Brandley did not seem to falter despite the Vixens’ ease in the goal circle, switching up their movement and using clever footwork to even up the goal count after half time. Mentor’s hands over pressure was phenomenal, keeping the Vixens on their toes and deflecting any wayward ball and with the match all but done and dusted, she created turnovers aplenty to help her side win the second half. While she racked up a whopping eight deflections the Vixens seemed to be there at every turn with Mentor unable to gather any to advantage, only picking up two intercepts and one rebound stat to her name along with an uncharacteristic 17 penalties.