‘Bring it in quickly’: The story behind the speech that inspired one of Australian netball’s greatest comebacks
At three-quarter-time of the Super Netball preliminary final, Melbourne Vixens coach Simone McKinnis crouched to her knees and beckoned her players to huddle up.
“Bring it in quickly,” she said, and they leaned in, eyes on the 59-year-old. The 35 seconds that followed will go down as one of the most rousing rev-ups in Australian sport, inspiring the Vixens to an astonishing comeback victory and a place in Saturday night’s grand final against West Coast Fever at Rod Laver Arena.
The story behind her speech is even more remarkable.
Melbourne Vixens captain Kate Moloney and coach Simone McKinnis.Credit: Eddie Jim
The Vixens were in a dire position against the NSW Swifts in the prelim– down 51-41 at the last break. But that was nothing compared with the team’s position after six rounds of the season, with only two wins on the board and upheaval behind the scenes.
McKinnis stunned the netball world in May by announcing that she would resign at the end of the season, and now admits that her own issues were affecting the team.
“To be honest those weeks, I don’t think I was at my best because of everything going on in the background,” McKinnis told this masthead. “The girls were playing how I was feeling.”
The Vixens celebrate their one-point victory.Credit: Getty Images
McKinnis, who represented Australia 63 times and is a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and dual world champion, declined to elaborate on the reasons for her resignation, other than to say it came down to a combination of factors. With her contract expiring at season’s end, it felt like the right time to hand over the reins.
Her decision to step down after 13 years at the helm proved a turning point for the Vixens. McKinnis says it allowed the team to focus, and they won eight of their next 10 games to reach back-to-back grand finals.
It’s obvious that McKinnis’ players adore her.
Vixens captain Kate Moloney said they felt a mixture of grief and gratitude about her upcoming departure.
An elated Simone McKinnis celebrates the win.Credit: Getty Images
“She has been such a massive part of our club for so long,” Moloney said. “Those who have been at the Melbourne Vixens, all we’ve really ever known is having her as our coach, and she’s given us so much.
“Obviously, there was that sadness around her stepping down, but it’s also just been really grateful for what she’s given us for so long, and we’ve been so lucky to have her.”
It’s not a surprise, then, that emotions were high when McKinnis called on her players to muster one last effort as they faced a daunting deficit against the Swifts last Sunday.
She told her players to look at each other and smile. She looked each of them in the eye, moving her hands as spoke.
“We can do anything we want in this quarter. Alright? … We’re having a crack. We’re having fun. Let’s be disciplined with the ball down there.… Take the shot. Put that defensive pressure on.”
Then, the kicker. “We have nothing to lose here,” McKinnis tearfully declared over the roaring Qudos Bank Arena crowd. “Except for throwing our best selves at this contest.”
The Vixens proceeded to mount an 11-goal comeback with goal shooter Sophie Garbin sealing the team’s victory with a goal in the final seven seconds of the quarter.
Moloney said the players hung on every word of their coach’s speech.
“When Simone speaks, everyone listens,” she said.
“We’re 10 goals down, and you’re sort of nearly down and out, and Simone just told us that we had nothing to lose and to go for it, and just to believe in ourselves and be really free out there on court.
“The girls just dug deep and it was an incredible 15 minutes of netball.”
Netball Australia chair Liz EllisCredit: Hamish Blair
Saturday night’s Super Netball grand final is the first to be played at Rod Laver Arena, with a crowd of more than 14,000 expected. (The record is 13,908 for the 2022 decider between the Vixens and Fever at Perth’s RAC Arena.)
It’s a massive moment for Netball Australia, which under the leadership of chair Liz Ellis is turning the grand final into an event. There’ll be a rooftop social club with a DJ for fans, and a more exclusive corporate hospitality experience.
But there is no greater drawcard than the contest. For McKinnis, the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd is incredibly special, and “a real driving factor” for the players.
McKinnis’ final game at the helm of the Vixens will be the 2025 grand final.Credit: Eddie Jim
Victory would add to the Vixens’ two national titles and three minor premierships on her watch.
But the Vixens are pressing pause on any teary farewells for now, fully focused on the Fever who have beaten them twice this season. The Vixens lost last year’s grand final by two goals to the Adelaide Thunderbirds, but Moloney said the team had learnt important lessons.
“We got so close last year, and frankly we played some great netball, but we just couldn’t get over the line,” she said.
“I’m sure from having those experiences, we’re going to be in a better spot on Saturday night.”
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.