WITH both sides unable to make Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) finals it was a matter of pride as the Queensland Firebirds just snuck over the line against the Melbourne Vixens (62-58). It was a see-sawing battle to say the least as they traded the lead back and forth credit to the high intensity out on court.

Defensively the Firebirds were depleted, missing Tara Hinchliffe and the late withdrawal of captain Gabi Simpson, something the Vixens looked to pounce on nice and early. They skipped out to a handy two-goal buffer with Mwai Kumwenda posting up strongly against Rudi Ellis to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Up the other end of the court, the Firebirds were a bit more laboured in attack, unable to find their way to post with the same level of ease in which the Vixens were. The Vixens were playing with great fluidity in attack as they extended their lead to four goals before the Firebirds started to motor in defence with their hands over pressure. Kaylia Stanton had a real pep in her step for the Vixens with the goal attack imposing herself both under the post and in the attacking third to split the Firebirds defenders.

The cogs started to tick over for Queensland as they managed three goals in a row to eat into the deficit and get back within a goal. Kim Jenner and Ellis started to turn the screws in defence with the pair contesting the high ball coming in but the Vixens did not seem fazed as they continued their merry way. Neither team was able to capitalise on the super shot before Kumwenda stole the show to increase the Vixens’ lead to three goals. It was goal for goal to end the final term as both teams worked in overdrive to claim the ascendancy heading into the final term.

Kim Ravaillion was proving to be a menace for the Vixens with the Firebirds centre impressing with her speed to burn and three-foot marking both in defence and attack. An early defensive win from Queensland gifted them possession but the Vixens were not about to roll over with Emily Mannix getting hands to ball herself and giving a chance for the Vixens to capitalise. The defensive combination between Jenner and Ellis started to purr as they won ball back and got within striking distance. In her first game of the season, Hulita Veve made her presence felt with a huge deflection and intercept to spark her side into the action. With 10 minutes left in the quarter, the Firebirds levelled the score prompting a timeout. Both teams came out of their huddles a little bit shaky with turnovers aplenty as the ball rocketed up and down the court.

Every time the momentum swung the way of the Firebirds, the Vixens found another gear to kick into as Kumwenda slotted back to back goals to reverse the lead create a one-goal buffer. A huge held ball call against Kate Moloney once again saw momentum shift as the Firebirds continued to build. They also tinkered with their defensive structure as Jenner pushed into goal keeper as Ruby Bakewell-Doran entered the contest in goal defence. The hustle and desperation intensified for Queensland as they pounced on any loose ball, establishing a three-goal lead. Lara Dunkley found her rhythm around circle edge in the final minutes of the term as the Firebirds played possession netball to head into half-time up by five goals.

The combination between Gretel Bueta and Aiken was firing on all cylinders with Kadie-Ann Dehaney injected into the thick of things after half time to provide some real defensive energy – and that she did. Dehaney was immediately into the contest while down the other end of the court Hannah Mundy showcased her dare. The changes continued to happen for the Vixens as Ruby Barkmeyer entered the fray in goal attack replacing Stanton with her silky movement coming to the fore. The Vixens started to plug away at the deficit as the ball started to fall the way of the reigning premiers. The five-goal lead disappeared in front of the eyes of the Firebirds as the Vixens rallied.

Bakewell-Doran dazzled with her footspeed to reel in a huge intercept. Looking for a spark Tippah Dwan made her way onto the court replacing Bueta who was struggling to have her usual impact. Jo Weston did not make life easy for Dwan collecting a huge rejection on the shot. Jenner came screaming through for a huge intercept on full stretch as the Firebirds stole back the lead and so too momentum. With the clock ticking down the Vixens brought on Allie Smith in wing defence but it did not seem to worry Queensland as they monopolised play.

With it all to play for in their final game of the season neither side were willing to take a backwards step. A flurry of goals from the Vixens saw them get back to within a goal as this blow-for-blow style of netball took centre stage. There was no easy pass across the court with each and every player contesting hard as the Firebirds turned the after burners on capitalising on the turnover to establish a two goal lead which they steadily increased to a winning four goal buffer.

After a shaky performance last week, Kumwenda returned to her best slotting 48 goals from 52 attempts. Stanton increased her accuracy to post sitting at 86 per cent accuracy, and also had an influence out the front with her 10 goal assists. Mundy also impressed around circle edge racking up 13 goal assists which was rivalled by Ravaillion as she amassed 15 goal assists and one intercept. Aiken was a strong target under the post with her 52 goals at 90 per cent, as Bueta chugged along slotting nine goals from 13 attempts. Down back Mannix registered one deflection and two intercepts as Jenner worked in overdrive for her four deflections and two intercepts.

MELBOURNE VIXENS 16 | 11 | 15 | 16 (58)
QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS 13 | 19 | 14 | 16 (62)

STARTING SEVEN:

Vixens:

GS: Mwai Kumwenda
GA: Kaylia Stanton
WA: Hannah Mundy
C: Kate Moloney
WD: Kate Eddy
GD: Jo Weston
GK: Emily Mannix

Firebirds:

GS: Romelda Aiken
GA: Gretel Bueta
WA: Lara Dunkley
C: Kim Ravaillion
WD: Hulita Veve
GD: Kim Jenner
GK: Rudi Ellis

Photo credit: SSN