Vixens show Melbourne Super Netball rivals who is boss

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Vixens show Melbourne Super Netball rivals who is boss

Melbourne Vixens have continued their Super Netball derby dominance over the Mavericks, rocketing to a 66-57 victory on the back of their best first quarter of the season.

The Vixens showed the competition’s new kids who’s boss in front of a packed house at John Cain Arena in their Sunday afternoon clash to remain unbeaten in four meetings between the sides.

The win was set up by an opening blitz, with last year’s losing grand finalists shooting the first seven goals of the match before ending the quarter with an eight-goal lead, 19-11.

The rest of the match was fairly even – the teams posting the same number of goals through the second and third quarters, with the Mavericks trailing 35-27 at halftime.

Down by eight heading into the final term, the Mavericks came home with a flourish and got to within five goals, but the damage in the first quarter ultimately proved the difference.

Vixens defensive trio Kate Eddy, Jo Weston and Rudi Ellis made their rivals work for every goal and forced Mavericks coach Tracey Neville to sub Shimona Jok out of the game midway through the second quarter and instead play a moving goal circle.

The Mavericks’ discipline was also costly, racking up a season-high 81 penalties to the Vixens’ 56.

Skipper Amy Parmenter sought out the umpires at halftime for some clarity on the calls, but it didn’t stop the tally ticking over, while 15 unforced turnovers also proved telling.

Jamaican international Jok returned and finished the match with 30 goals, with Sasha Glasgow and Uneeq Palavi the other Mavericks’ scorers.

For the Vixens, Sophie Garbin bagged 48 goals from 51 attempts to be named player of the match, while goal attack Kiera Austin collected 17 from 21, including a two-point goal.

The win, which was their third in a row, meant the Vixens climbed into the finals-bound top four, while the Mavericks sit sixth.

“It’s amazing, a derby in front of a full JCA (John Cain Arena) and three in a row, very happy with that,” Diamonds shooter Garbin told Kayo Sports.

“We’re going to need momentum going into the back-end of the season, but for us, we’ve just been taking it one week at a time and we know that every week is kind of do-or-die for us in trying to make the finals.

“It’s just awesome and everyone had a really good performance … they’re a tough opponent and that was a bloody hard game, so good to get the win.”

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