Vixens’ vice-captain confident the team can triumph as underdogs in the Super Netball grand final

Melbourne Vixens vice-captain Emily Mannix is aware that some in the netball world have ‘written off’ her team heading into the grand final, however the underdogs are ready to prove them wrong.

Emily Mannix can sense many in the netball world have already “written off” Melbourne Vixens’ chances in the Super Netball grand final, but the vice-captain has backed the team to defy the doubters against the “beatable” Thunderbirds in Adelaide.

Having qualified the “hard way” for a third grand final appearance in five years, the Vixens will start as outsiders against the minor premiers and defending champions on their home court in the premiership decider.

The Vixens have suffered heavy losses in their last two matches against the Thunderbirds in Adelaide, most recently a 25-goal major semi-final beating.

But Mannix said the Thunderbirds were not a “bogey team” – having defeated them earlier in the season – and could be taken down, but it was going to take a “near perfect” performance from the Vixens to deliver a Super Netball crown.

Melbourne Vixens vice-captain and defender Emily Mannix. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“We have done it the hard way, I feel like a lot of people would have written us off already, especially after that Thunderbirds major semi-final,” the star defender said.

“So we’ve got nothing to lose. We’re heading over to Adelaide with a great attitude and belief as a group and really excited to see what we can achieve.

“I am completely confident in this group. We’ve had an up and down season, we’ve had patches where we’ve been really consistent and then a couple of games where we’ve obviously dropped the ball a little bit. But I know what we’re capable of.

“We’ve had some pretty poor performances against the Thunderbirds the last couple of times, but we have beaten them also, so hopefully the group can take confidence knowing that they are beatable, and they’re not that bogey team.

“But it’s going to take a lot of hard work and we’re going to have to play a near perfect game.”

The hunt is now. pic.twitter.com/QNoFSM7jYB

— Melbourne Vixens (@MelbourneVixens) August 1, 2024

Mannix played a key role in helping propel the Vixens into the grand final when she made an immediate impact in the one-goal preliminary final against the West Coast Fever after being injected into the match in the third quarter.

The goal keeper produced a critical deflection against the Fever’s shooting powerhouse Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard moments after hitting the court, sparking a turnaround from a four-goal deficit and swinging the momentum in favour of the Vixens.

Mannix again faces a critical assignment to repel one of the Thunderbirds’ twin Jamaican bookend threats, goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George, who the Vixen regarded to be in almost career best form.

“She’s had a great year, I think she’s probably had one of her best years in a long time,” Mannix said.

“She’s almost in career best form, so good on her to be able to have a child and then bounce back and to move around Australia a little bit and find her groove. But hopefully we can keep that under wraps a little bit this weekend.

Romelda Aiken-George will be one to stop for the Melbourne Vixens. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“The last couple of times she has got the better of us as a defensive unit and has really been able to hold her ground down there, so hopefully we can disrupt her a little bit more this weekend and not allow her to have such an impact for them.

“She’s really sort of that target obviously down there for them is really important to their style of play. Again, similar to the Fever, you’ve got to do the work out the front to disrupt that, but I think there’s responsibility for the keeper back there to start that from the first whistle and get in their head a little bit.”

Adelaide’s reigning league MVP and intercepting machine Shamera Sterling-Humphrey looms as another major threat for the Vixens at the other end.

Mannix admitted even she was amazed at some of the ball the Jamaican defender got her hands on, but had full confidence in the Vixens’ Diamonds’ goaling duo Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin to stand up to her aerial strength.

Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (Adelaide) and Sophie Garbin (Melbourne) will go head to head in the grand final. Picture: Maya Thompson/Getty Images

“Shamera is a force to be reckoned with really,” Mannix said.

“Some of the balls that I’m watching from my end that she gets, I’m like, ‘How is she even getting there?’, she’s incredible.

“But I think we’ve learned a lot playing against them and what they’re capable of. I think we’ve probably shied away from that contest a little bit and let them get into our heads.

“I have complete faith in our goalers and our attack end what they’re able to do on court. We’ve got two Diamonds’ goalers down there and Lily Graham who has come on at various times in her first year and sink super shots.

“We know they’re aerial and can get a lot of ball, but we have to believe in ourselves and know that our goalers can turn and shoot and have an impact.”

Emily Mannix (L) has had one of her best seasons of her career. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Having spent the first half of the preliminary final on the bench with Rudi Ellis given the starting nod at goal keeper, Mannix said she was ready to embrace whatever role was needed from her for the grand final.

“I’ve been playing goal defence, goal keeper, on the bench, starting, coming on - whatever it might be,” said Mannix, who has enjoyed one of the best seasons of her career to be named as an invitee to the Diamonds’ squad.

“Everyone can play a role really well … and we know that if the change needs to be made, it’s purely tactical. I think that support within the group is integral.

“I was obviously keen get out there, you don’t want to be on the bench, no one wants to be on the bench.

“But it’s about being ready to go on at any given moment and do what you need to do for the team.”

Originally published as Vixens’ vice-captain confident the team can triumph as underdogs in the Super Netball grand final