Net Gains column: Wooden spooners Melbourne Vixens sitting equal first at halfway point of season

A rags to riches story is unfolding in Super Netball with last year’s cellar dwellers on track for an incredible turnaround. Plus our likes and dislikes in Net Gains.

The Vixens are sitting in equal first place on the ladder at the halfway point of the competition, Photo: Getty Images

The last to first dream remains for the Melbourne Vixens despite their loss to Collingwood in the Melbourne derby on Sunday.

The Vixens — who had two players out under Covid protocol, another returning from the virus and a shooter sidelined with injury — had the chance to head into the halfway point of the season in outright first place but have to be content sharing the lead with the West Coast Fever after a 70-60 loss to the Magpies in the Victorian derby.

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The Vixens have surged back from the bottom of the ladder last season to share equal competition lead at the halfway point this year. Photo: Getty Images

In one of many positives in the game, it was the first time in three years the sides had played the derby in Victoria due to Covid and a welcome return to form for the Magpies, who were anchored to the bottom of the ladder just a fortnight ago.

The dogged clash between Diamonds representative Ash Brazill and Liz Watson was a highlight but the coaching efforts of Nicole Richardson cannot be underestimated either.

“Richo” has showed why she’s a valued member of Stacey Marinkovich’s Diamonds coaching staff over the past fortnight, coming up with game plans to nullify some of the biggest names in the game, including Firebirds Gretel Bueta and Kim Ravaillion and Vixens Liz Watson and Kiera Austin.

LIKES

Firebirds’ attitude.

“Bitterly disappointed” with their round 6 loss to the Collingwood Magpies, the Queenslanders bounced back against the Swifts to do something they’ve found so hard over the past few seasons – bank the games they simply must win.

Over the past couple of years, the Birdies have come up with some big performances and then fallen flat the following week.

To say that happened against the Magpies is probably disrespectful to Collingwood, who finally clicked in Brisbane. But Saturday’s clash against the Swifts was one they just had to get if they’re to be a finals team.

They stood up with a dominant performance, that even had coach Megan Anderson buying into the State of Origin spirit.

Anderson and Swifts counterpart Briony Akle may be close friends and former teammates but Anderson was embracing her new status as a Queenslander in their on-court battle.

“I’m a Queenslander and it’s just all Firebirds,” Anderson said after her first coaching victory over two-time Super Netball premiership winner Akle.

The way coaches are managing players back from Covid protocols

Under privacy rules, clubs are not required to state whether a player missing a match is a close contact or actually has Covid.

But take it as read that most players who have been forced to sit out under the protocols this season have had the virus.

And while everyone will have different symptoms and reactions, it’s great to see coaches treating their athletes with kid gloves when they return to play.

Jess Anstiss played just half a game in round 7 after returning from Covid protocols. Photo: Getty Images

The athletes playing Super Netball are not simply trotting about on court.

This is the best competition in the world and most are red-lining every time they get out and play.

It’s a long year, especially for those who will play finals and at the Commonwealth Games, so seeing coaches like the Fever’s Dan Ryan playing his returning players Jess Anstiss and Sasha Glasgow for just half a game each on Saturday get a big thumbs up.

DISLIKES

The Lightning always knew they would struggle to replace South African defender Karla Pretorius but there’s no way they would have anticipated the defensive woes they’re having so far this season.

Three teams have posted a Super Netball record score against them this season, with the Fever and Firebirds notching 82 points each in the opening two rounds of the season before the Giants matched that on Sunday with another 82 points.

It was a disaster for the Lightning, who had fought back to be on the cusp of a top-four spot heading into the halfway point of the season.

Losing their Diamonds shooter Cara Koenen to Covid protocols – as they had with Wood ahead of round 2 – didn’t help but their efforts on Sunday were not helped by the 72 penalties they conceded in a lopsided penalty count.

Their woeful percentage means they need to come home with a wet sail if they are to continue their record of making the finals in every Super Netball season.

Everyone loves the physical nature of netball and Super Netball in particular despite it’s status as a “non-contact sport”.

Sport thrives on the concept of heroes and villains but the online abuse of Sunshine Coast Lightning defender Kate Walsh after her vigorous efforts in the clash against the Swifts in round 6 went too far.

Kate Walsh (right) was the target of online trolls after her efforts against Swifts young gun Sophie Fawns (left) last week. Photo: Getty Images

It was great to see Super Netball and the Lightning calling it out too after online trolls piled on Walsh following a TikTok video that called her a “bully”.

Play between Walsh and young Swifts goaler Sophie Fawns was vigorous and while Super Netball umpire performance coach Stacey Campton defended the officials’ response, the issue was obviously addressed during the week.

The change in decision-making from round 6 to round 7 was stark, with the whistle dominating every game and the Lightning, and Walsh in particular, heavily penalised.

A huge amount of experience was lost from the umpiring pool heading into this season and it’s showing.

PLAYER OF THE ROUND

Kelsey Browne – Magpies

Kelsey Browne of the Magpies looks to pass during the round seven Super Netball match between Melbourne Vixens and Collingwood Magpies. Photo: Getty Images

The Magpies have surged up the ladder with back-to-back wins over the past fortnight after an inconsistent start to the season. One constant they have had though is the form of Browne, who has brought her trademark speed and skill in the midcourt. It was front and centre again on Sunday in the Victorian derby and her workrate helped fuel what could be a crucial Magpies win if they are to make finals.

Firebirds v Swifts

Gretel Bueta (Firebirds) 3, Ruby Bakewell-Doran (Firebirds) 2, Maddy Proud (Swifts) 1

Fever v Thunderbirds

Jhaniele Fowler (Fever) 3, Alice Teague-Neeld (Fever) 2, Georgie Horjus (Tbirds) 1

Lightning v Giants

April Brandley (Giants) 3, Jamie-Lee Price (Giants) 2, Tilly McDonell (Giants) 1

Vixens v Magpies

Kelsey Browne (Magpies) 3, Shimona Nelson (Vixens) 2, Liz Watson (Vixens) 1