A powerful second-half performance has propelled the Melbourne Vixens to a 64-55 victory in their final Super Netball match-up against cross-town rivals Collingwood.
With Collingwood closing their netball program at the end of the season, emotions were running high in Monday’s clash at John Cain Arena for what would be the last Victorian derby between the two clubs.
The Vixens were in serious danger of dropping their third game in succession after the Magpies’ defensive intensity stymied their attack and skipped out to a nine-goal advantage approaching halftime.
But Melbourne hit back in the second half to outscore Collingwood 38-23 and claim a 10th win over their neighbours in their 15th - and final - meeting.
“We knew that they would come out firing - it's the classic rivalry between the two," Vixens star Kiera Austin said.
"It was a really good finish from us, glad to get over the line in the end."
The result keeps the Vixens in the hunt for third place and hosting rights to the minor semi-final but they need to beat the Giants away in the final round and rely on the NSW Swifts defeating Adelaide in order to avoid fourth spot.
While being excited at the prospect of playing finals, Austin felt the Vixens need to keep building momentum if they hope to make an impact in the post-season.
“Obviously, you want to be starting to hit your straps as you're going into those final few rounds," she said.
"It took us a little bit again to get into that game so we'll need to tweak that and hopefully get one more win against the Giants before finals."
Collingwood’s defensive combination dominated the opening quarter with Jodi-Ann Ward flying in for two intercepts and the Vixens coughing up nine turnovers, five of those unforced, as the Magpies jumped out to a 14-10 start.
A Geva Mentor intercept kick-started the Magpies in the second period as they continued to extend their lead and while the Vixens started to look more assertive in attack, it took a burst of three Super shots for them to close the half within striking distance of Collingwood’s 32-26 buffer.
With midcourter Hannah Mundy entering the game in the third quarter, the Vixens’ attack started to flow and Mwai Kumwenda reeled off six straight goals before putting the home side in front 46-45 with the final goal of the quarter.
Collingwood threw everything at the Vixens despite losing centre Molly Jovic to injury early in the final quarter but the combination of Austin and Kumwenda allowed Melbourne to break away in the closing minutes.
