Melbourne Vixens vs Collingwood Magpies: Super Netball finals match result

Match result:

The Melbourne Vixens live to fight another day and the Ingles retirement tour rolls on, after a 13-goal victory over the Collingwood Magpies on Sunday afternoon.

As they always are, the crowd were up and about for the Melbourne Derby. However, early it became a one-sided affair.

The Vixens were right on top early and translated that into a 10 goal lead at the first break. Where Collingwood players won the 1v1 contests last weekend, it was the opposite today.

The movement in the goal-ring from the Melbourne shooters, and the tight 1-on-1 defence of Ingles, Weston and Mannix, meant Melbourne dominated the whole court.

Collingwood couldn’t get things on their terms as the game went on, and were unable to make inroads on the huge deficit that is a double-digit margin.

Shimona Nelson worked her way into the game, but struggled to convert the turnover opportunities her defenders created.

Ash Brazill continued to add spark in the centre bib for the Pies, but was frustrated by the Maloney match up early and showed that in the way of stray passes and poor penalty calls against.

In the end, the Vixens smiles and team play ruled the day.

Final score
Melbourne Vixens 62
Collingwood Magpies 46

Match preview:

It’s all on the line when the Melbourne Vixens host Victorian rivals the Collingwood Magpies in the Super Netball minor semi-final on Sunday afternoon. Join The Roar for coverage of the match, with the first centre pass just after 1pm AEST.

With the first grand-finalist confirmed and the location of next week’s preliminary final determined, all that’s missing is an opponent.

This is a do-or-die clash – the long 2019 season will be over for the losers, while the winner will head into another win or go home clash next weekend.

Prior to the World Cup break, the Vixens were a team feared. They were winning by double-digit margins and dominated in match-ups with every team except against the NSW Swifts and the Magpies.

Post-World Cup and things are a little different for Melbourne, who have struggled to find form and the cohesiveness on court.

Maybe the training block and break other teams had was more beneficial than some expected, as only two Vixens – Renae Ingles and Lara Dunkley – were left in Victoria during this period.

Collingwood have been battling. They lost the ‘Browne’ sisters – Madi Robinson and Kelsey Browne – to ACL injuries, their coach has had to take personal leave, but they’ve pulled it together for some tough wins on the road.

Their latest victory booked a place in the finals, quite a turnaround for this team.

Ash Brazill moving into the centre in recent weeks and Kim Ravaillion out to wing defence has been an inspired move, Brazill provides a much-needed spark in the middle.

Shimona Nelson is a steady option up forward and combines superbly with the experienced Nat Medhurst. The Vixen’s defensive duo Jo Weston and Emily Mannix will have their work cut out for them again in the circle.

Caitlin Thwaites is a world class goal-shooter, but will a healthy Mwai Kumwenda be thrown into the seven to change things up earlier than a final quarter burst?

These two teams met last weekend in Round 14; the Magpies dominated the match and won by 11 goals.

The Vixens have not beaten Collingwood this year, also going down in Round 7 by three goals.

Where it was really lost for the Vixens last week was in the midcourt, with all three Melbourne ladies in the middle beaten by their opponents.

It will be interesting to see how the Vixens approach this battle in the semi-final.

Prediction
While any team can have its day, it seems unlikely that the Vixens will have found a game-plan to defeat Collingwood in just one week.

It should be much closer than their previous meeting, however, the Magpies will continue to fly for another victory and a preliminary final spot.

Collingwood by 3 goals.

Venue: State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne
Time: 1pm AEST
TV: Channel 9, 9Now, Netball Live app
Betting: Melbourne $1.72, Collingwood $2.10