WHEN it comes to Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) list changes following the 2020 season, there are not many teams that suffered the same changes as 2020 SSN Premiers, Melbourne Vixens. Whilst a number of squads made cuts and added new strings to their bows, the Vixens’ entire frontline was dealt an overhaul as the squad, competition and fans alike bade farewell to retiring Victorian netball legends and goaling duo Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip. 

With Mwai Kumwenda remaining in the squad as two of the most experienced Vixens squad members called an end to their respective careers following the Vixens’s drought-breaking Suncorp Super Netball Premiership win, it was time for the Vixens to create a new-look front-end.

Former West Coast Fever goaler Kaylia Stanton and Victorian talent Ruby Barkmeyer were the lucky two welcomed into the squad ahead of the 2021 season, with two-time premiership player Stanton making the move from Perth, whilst Barkmeyer earned her maiden SSN contract. For Barkmeyer, her call-up came following an entire season on the sidelines back home in Melbourne, as the competition played out in Queensland due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“I really, I really enjoyed the first half of last year coming in as a training partner and I really enjoyed coming into that environment with the Vixens girls, because I have looked up to a lot of the girls, growing up and coming through the Netball Vic pathway,” Barkmeyer said. “I did always idolise the girls like Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip so it was a bit surreal coming in and being able to train alongside them, and then when the girls went away, obviously it was quite tough in Victoria so I did find it quite challenging to keep continuing to train by myself at home.”

“This year we’ve actually been very lucky as we’ve been able to train as a group throughout the whole year I think, even the lockdown just gone we’re very grateful we were still going to the VIS (Victorian Institute of Sport) and doing our gym stuff,” Barkmeyer explained. “We still had access to our courts so this year we’ve been really lucky to still be able to continue going as usual.”

Hailing from Western Australia, Stanton’s journey to the Vixens went a little bit differently.

“When I got the call from Simone (McKinnis, Melbourne Vixens head coach) saying ‘we’d like to have an interview with you and discuss the possibility of you joining the Vixens’ I think for me, initially, it was just complete shock, but also elation as well,” Stanton said. “I was just incredibly humbled to have the interview with them, and I know that they usually pick from their own pathway of Victorian players and to be able to have that interview in the first place was fantastic.”

“Yeah, it’s definitely a change. Moving across the country to play with the reigning premiers is something I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity.”

“I think the calibre of shooters that have come before me, Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip are both incredibly high calibre netballers and shooters in their own right. I think for me to be able to fill their shoes is probably going to be a hard ask, but I’m just going to try and bring my strength and what I can to the game to help contribute the best I can.”

For both players, this year will be a fresh start, and while it will come with plenty of expectations after a huge 2020 season, it  will give both Stanton and Barkmeyer the chance to really prove themselves on the SSN stage. 

With Malawian goal shooter Kumwenda only returning from overseas in the past week and headed straight into two week quarantine upon arrival in Melbourne, Stanton and Barkmeyer have had a wealth of time to familiarise themselves within the goal circle and forge connections across the court.

“This year has been very, very different,” Barkmeyer said. “Without obviously Tegan and Caity there, they’re a bit like your big sister or your mum at training, I guess I always kind of looked up to them and they would always be there to give you advice and support you, and especially being a goaler, I did work a lot with those two girls.”

“This year it’s just been Kaylia and myself, and Sacha (McDonald), and we’re also waiting for MJ (Kumwenda) to come back so it has been a very, very different year. But I think it’s been really good being able to have that one-on-one time with Kaylia and to kind of build our connections and get to know each other both on and off the court while we wait for MJ to come back to training. I think we’ve really been making the most of the time we have together to really build on that connection to get to know each other really well.”

Barkmeyer continued, expressing how much time has gone into developing the Vixens frontend over the break. 

“MJ is a huge target under the goal ring, even at training she’s just yeah she’s so much fun to be around but it has been quiet without her so we’re looking forward to having her back,” she said. “But I think it’s been important for Kaylia and I to really get to know each other because I’d never met Kaylia before, we’re completely fresh to each other so it’s been really nice hanging out together.”

“I’ve actually played with MJ just at training so I’m familiar with how she plays, but it’ll be nice for Kaylia and MJ to finally get that chance to work together and get to know each other before we get a game.”

Stanton agreed that the addition of Kumwenda will really seal the deal for the Vixens front-end, but also said that her time developing partnerships with other players across the court has been critical during the team’s time without the Malawian superstar. After all, netball is a team sport and the Vixens know better than to rely on one player.

“MJ’s definitely an integral part of the team but I think every other player has a role to play and it’s not necessarily just that one player in the team, and for me to be able to develop connections with each player takes a bit of time. I think I’ve been able to develop that over the last two months that I’ve been with the team and I think that will develop with MJ as well,” Stanton explained. “But to so far be able to do that with the girls that I have been working with at training, you know, Ruby and I just getting that connection and feel because we’ve never played together.

“I feel like for me, settling into Melbourne, both on the court with the team, with the other girls and even with Ruby as well, obviously MJ’s yet to come back into the program given she’s been overseas. I’m just really excited by it all and I think for me to be able to do that after last year’s success, it makes me feel really comfortable.”

Stanton explained how the extended time with Barkmeyer has allowed the pair to develop their own attacking partnership, with the goal shooter turned goal attack bringing her newfound versatility to the court and making the most of the chance to prove herself with the reigning premiers.

“Simone’s been really clear to me in that I need to be able to play both positions really well and develop that connection with the other shooters and the other players around me,” Stanton explained. “My goal is just to do the best I possibly can out on court, give them everything I’ve got, whatever that opportunity happens to be, whether that’s on the sideline or on the court, I’m just looking forward to being a part of it all.”

With the 2021 SSN season edging ever closer, both Barkmeyer and Stanton are aware of the mounting pressure on the Vixens, especially with a number of the squad’s core players currently in New Zealand on international duties with the Australian Diamonds.

“I think for us to be able to train against players like that, who are coming up against the world’s best and bringing that real challenge and competitiveness back into the Vixens environment is really key for us to be able to succeed again, and have that consistency and being able to compete at the top level,” Stanton said.

Barkmeyer added that the Vixens’ less experienced players – herself included – are benefiting individually in the absence of the likes of Liz Watson, Kate Moloney and Jo Weston, stepping up to the plate and working hard to be at the same level once the Diamonds trio return from New Zealand. 

“It has been a lot different having the Diamonds girls go away, they’re such a huge part of our Vixens team, but I also think it’s given us younger girls an opportunity to step up and I guess we’re all trying to really make sure that we’ve got our fitness up and we’re doing our skills and stuff so when the girls come back we can combine well together,” she said.

Both players brought up the intent of becoming back-to-back SSN premiers, emphasising how much belief the Vixens playing group has in its capacity to pile on the pressure once more and have another strong season. Whilst some could see it as unrealistic given such a huge change to the attack, Barkmeyer and Stanton are confident in their newfound partnership. Expect the Vixens’ entire squad will step up to the plate, and will contend well being the hunted in season 2021.

“We’re looking to go back-to-back premierships and I think that’s something we’re definitely capable of doing, Stanton said. “Obviously, off the back of the 2020 premiership, the girls had so much success. I think they really understood each other so much better away from the court. And on the court, you could see that trust and connection thrive.”

“I think everybody is really, really hyped up and the vibe’s really good returning from the hub. Everyone’s coming together, we’re all kind of like, ‘let’s just go back-to-back, why not, who’s to say we can’t just go back-to-back’,” Barkmeyer exclaimed.

“So I think that’s our number one goal, but also I think just being a young team with a few fresh faces, is to really connect together out on court and play some really good netball which hopefully will result in us going back-to-back.”