The Vixens’ need to stop Fowler-Nembhard if they are to book a Super Netball grand final spot

Melbourne defender Jo Weston says the Vixens’ will amplify their focus on West Coast’s Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard going into their do-or-die final, with stopping the shooter key to securing a grand final spot.

It is the most ominous defensive mission in Super Netball.

How to go about thwarting the impact of West Coast Fever’s Jamaican shooting weapon Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.

A formidable job ordinarily, but even more so when the stakes are elevated in a must-win preliminary final.

Melbourne Vixens defender Jo Weston knows the battle all too well, but has backed her team’s defensive depth, adaptability and full-court pressure to prevail against the potent Fever attack as they focus on regaining their “ferocity” after a semi-final smashing.

Regarded by many as the best goal shooter in the world, Fowler-Nembhard has been a dominant force in Super Netball and the former trans-Tasman competition for years and - at the age of 35 - remains as dangerous as ever under the post.

Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard will be a focus for the Vixens’ defence this weekend. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Whether it was Emily Mannix or Rudi Ellis who got the job on the 198cm Fowler-Nembhard, who has led the league scoring this season, Weston said the goal keeper could not be left to a one-on-one battle with the Fever star.

“They are always going to be so potent with Jhaniele back there in the shooting circle,” Weston said.

“It is really difficult (job against her). She is such a prolific shooter and she is a really big physical presence and a big target for Fever in the shooting end.

“For us, it really takes that full-team defensive effort, we can’t just leave the goal keeper out there one-on-one.

“It’s also about maintaining that persistence across the game because you have to really be committed to a full 60 minutes of defence to be able to capitalise on any opportunities that come.”

A long-time goal circle partner of Mannix at the Vixens, Weston has spent more time playing outside of the circle this year at wing defence, covering Kate Eddy while she was injured, but also accommodating the Ellis-Mannix combination.

Weston says the Vixens have reflected on their semi final drubbing. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Vixens coach Simone McKinnis has rotated Ellis, Mannix, Weston and Eddy through the goal circle defensive positions this season and it is that versatility which Weston said would help propel the team into the grand final.

“I feel like it has really benefited us in terms of really being able to develop different positions out on court and different combinations,” Weston said of the defensive rotations.

“Rudi adds an extra element in terms of her height and elevation and her intimidation, so being able to have her back there in the keeper position gives her an opportunity and also enables us to shuffle around out the front.

“So, I feel like it has really been a strength of ours and it’s been something that has been interesting for me to try and work on playing full games at wing defence whereas I had only really had little cameos in previous years out there.”

The Vixens’ hopes of booking a path straight into the Super Netball grand final were crushed last week when they suffered a 25-goal loss to defending champions Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Weston said there had been some initial soul-searching from the group before moving on quickly to their assignment against the Fever.

“It was just so incredibly disappointing for us,” Weston said.

“The Thunderbirds came out of the blocks really fast and we were unable to keep up all over the court.

Jo Weston and long-time Vixens defensive partner Emily Mannix know the work they’ve got cut out for them. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“We had a pretty prolonged discussion about where we thought we were lacking specifically and reasons why that performance on Saturday occurred because I feel like brushing it under the rug and moving on wouldn’t be beneficial for us for the rest of the season.

“But we’re feeling OK and we feel like we have moved on as quickly as we possibly can because you can’t loiter too long in professional sport because the season moves on.”

A member of the Vixens’ premiership team in 2020, Weston was confident the Vixens could not only rebound against the Fever, but could still go “all the way”.

“Premierships don’t come around that often so even being in the mix this year has been really exciting for our group,” Weston said.

“I believe we have the capacity to not just beat the Fever, but to really go all the way to win this premiership.

“But it is going to take our full cohort, all 10 players, a real focus and attention to detail out on court and that intensity and ferocity that we were missing last week.

“They are our priorities going into this weekend’s game.”

Originally published as The Vixens’ need to stop Fowler-Nembhard if they are to book a Super Netball grand final spot