Melbourne Vixens' form slump continues in loss to NSW Swifts

VIXENS assistant coach Eloise Southby-Halbish demanded more from her goalers after they were "out-muscled" against the Swifts.

Julie Corletto

MELBOURNE Vixens assistant coach Eloise Southby-Halbish demanded more from her goalers after they were "out-muscled" in their 49-43 loss against the NSW Swifts.

MELBOURNE Vixens assistant coach Eloise Southby-Halbish demanded more from her goalers after they were "out-muscled" in their 49-43 loss against the NSW Swifts.

Vixens captain Bianca Chatfield was left searching for answers after the team fell to its third consecutive loss in the tough clash at Hisense Arena.

It was the Vixens' second loss to the Swifts in three rounds - the Swifts won 55-52 in Round 7 in Sydney, the Vixens' first loss this season.

After an impressive start with six consecutive victories, the Vixens' hold on the competition has unravelled.

The Vixens' next opponent will be the top-placed Adelaide Thunderbirds at home next Sunday.

Swifts goal shooter Susan Pratley (32 goals from 37) dominated, but the Vixens' goalers struggled against experienced defenders Sonia Mkoloma and Mo'onia Gerrard.

Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg rotated her goaling combinations throughout the match in a bid to find a winning combination, but they could not get on top.

Kate Beveridge, the most experienced of the Vixens' shooting trio, had 18 from 22 for the match at goal shooter, while Tegan Caldwell (11/11) and Karyn Howarth (14/16) played about a half each at goal attack.

Southby-Halbish, the team's attacking coach, said the trio needed to stand up.

"I thought the goaling end, they were really out-muscled by the physicality of it," the former Australian goaler said.

"They're younger players in terms of their experience, but they've had a enough netball now at this level to be able to take that, so they'll be working hard."

Chatfield said she was at a loss to explain what had gone wrong, but was worried.

"I think everyone is trying out there. There's just something missing that we can't put our finger on yet. It's really disappointing," she said.