The Melbourne Vixens completed their fairytale finish for outgoing coach Simone McKinnis, defeating the powerhouse West Coast Fever by a single goal, 59-58, to win the Super Netball grand final on Saturday night in her final game after 13 years at the helm.
Vixens captain Kate Moloney paid tribute to McKinnis and her enormous legacy in the post-match presentation.
Simone McKinnis and Kate Moloney embrace.Credit: Getty Images
“You’ve taken us to five grand finals, you’ve now won your third premiership – you are an incredible leader. This club would not be the same without you,” she said.
“When you walked in the doors 13 years ago, you taught us how hard we had to work, you showed us some tough love, but most importantly you cared for us, you believed in us, and you nurtured every single athlete that walked through those doors and you made them better.”
It was the Vixens’ first Super Netball title in five years.
Melbourne Vixens Kate Eddy and Hannah Mundy of the Vixens celebrate. Credit: Getty Images
McKinnis announced mid-season she was departing, sparking a turnaround in form from the Vixens.
“It was just about going out there again as we have been – that they had to work hard for it ... I thought we were the one team that could beat them,” McKinnis said.
Vixens star Jo Weston expressed the jubilation best soon after the final whistle. Almost overcome with a combination of joy and relief, she said to Fox Sports: “I think we’re going to head to the pub.”
By contrast, a shattered Fever captain Jess Anstiss said: “Pure devastation, to be honest.”
And it’s little wonder. The dominant Fever (12 wins and two losses) finished on top of the ladder, and were riding a 13-game winning streak into the season finale, while the Vixens (8-6) just scraped into fourth. Just last week, the Vixens only advanced to the decider after somehow overcoming a 10-goal three-quarter-time deficit in the preliminary final against a red-hot NSW Swifts.
The Vixens win the Super Netball grand final Credit: Getty Images
In front of a soldout crowd 15,013 at Rod Laver Arena, the Vixens took an early lead, with Moloney delivering a flawless centre pass, allowing star goal shooter Sophie Garbin to take the opening goal. The Fever countered quickly, delivering to Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, the competition’s best shooter.
Fever defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney was a formidable obstacle to Garbin, interrupting and intercepting her several times. At the end of the first quarter the Fever had a two-goal lead heading into the super shot period, however the Vixens managed to score with a brilliant long shot.
The third quarter saw the Vixens pull in front, much to the delight of the roaring, parochial crowd.
Play intensified in the fourth quarter, with the Vixens pulling ahead. Frustration in the Fever team saw them fumble some crucial passes as the clock ticked down and the pressure grew.
But they continued to target Fowler-Nembhard, and she continued to loom as the potential heartbreaker for the Vixens until the home side regained their composure in the dying minutes and held on to possession for dear life.
At the final whistle there were smiles, tears and cheers as the Vixens rushed from all corners to embrace each other.
In their third grand final against the Fever since 2020 (with the two sides locked at a win apiece, in 2020 and 2022), the Vixens won by the slimmest of margins.
