'It's time': Two more hurdles between Vixens and destiny

Foundation Melbourne Vixen Caitlin Thwaites has spent more seasons outside the lair than within it, but it took the experienced goal shooter little time after her 2019 return to recognise what drives this committed, close-knit and largely settled team.

“It’s been an interesting one for me not having been a part of this core group at the Vixens, but picking up on a lot of the past that they’ve all experienced together, there’s definitely a feeling of ‘it’s time’,’’ says Thwaites, who - with the retiring Renae Ingles and current assistant coach Sharelle McMahon - played in the club’s inaugural premiership in 2009.

The Vixens' Caitlin Thwaites (centre).Credit: AAP

"It’s not just about the words and the talking about it; it’s time to do it. There is definitely a sense of that amongst this group, given the talent that we’ve got and [the fact] that since 2014 this group of players haven’t been able to get across the line at the end. We’re very aware that there’s a lot of hard work to do, but that’s definitely where our sights are set.’’

Following an outstanding 24-goal turnaround in consecutive weeks against Thwaites’ most recent former team, the Magpies, two hurdles remain: first, the NSW Swifts in Sunday's preliminary final. Next, potentially, the big dance against the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Brisbane seven days later.

Thwaites was a Swift from 2014-16, following three ANZ Championship seasons in Wellington with the Pulse, and before two years at Collingwood. But, as it was before a happier third 2019 instalment against the Pies, the 32-year-old is 0-2 against the Swifts during this second stint as a Vixens. Indeed, the round 12 loss was her quietest game yet.

Coach Simone McKinnis summoned Mwai Kumwenda late in the second quarter, benching Thwaites after just nine goals from 11 attempts against the Sarah Klau-Maddy Turner circle defence. That was the start of a three-game losing stretch in which a common denominator was the lack of flow and movement in the Vixens’ attack, while full-court intensity and defence were questioned at times, too.

“Definitely I felt that I got beaten and I said to Simone afterwards 'I definitely deserved to be taken off in that game’. I wasn’t pulling my weight, and I guess just having that connection with those around me,’’ says Thwaites, of that last one against the Swifts.

When defenders double-team one goaler, it can open the door for the other, but the key is to keep them guessing, says Thwaites. And having rebounded so well against the Magpies, the idea is for something similar to occur when the Swifts are on the opposition bench.

“But how awesome to be in a situation where we’ve got the depth that we do,'' says Thwaites. "Having MJ [Kumwenda] be able to get on adds just another layer of complexity that the Swifts defenders will have to think about, too.’’

There is clearly much else to consider as three contenders soon become two. The Swifts’ head-to-head domination can be quantified by a 15-1 points haul in 2019, yet although both have lost three of their past five, the NSW team is not quite in its earlier ladder-topping form, while the Vixens last Sunday supplied a timely reminder of what they do best.

Defender Emily Mannix, whose debut season came immediately after the 2014 premiership, had not played in a Vixens finals win until last Sunday's, which was anchored by a brilliant 20-9 first quarter. Mannix, though, echoes Thwaites when she says that deeds must continue to match words.

“It’s been a build-up over a fair few years now - for the core group and then the fantastic players that we’ve had come in and out of the Vixens,’’ said Mannix, whose collaboration with Liz Watson and Jo Watson dates back to 15-and-under Victorian schoolgirls teams.

“We’ve had a lot of disappointing years, but also close years. Last year was super-disappointing, where we were riddled with injury and we just missed out on finals, then the year before when we finished top and then got bombed-down in straight sets, and even previous years we’ve done the same sort of thing.

“So I think it’s been building, and when we looked at in pre-season and we were just starting out, there was a really good feel like this could be the year and we should make this our year ... if you looked around at the experience and the young players, at what we had, it was a really solid group.

“We did have this really good feeling, but obviously you ride the ups and downs along the way, and it hasn’t been a perfect season. But we are so super keen and so eager to get out there on Sunday and hopefully knock off the Swifts and who knows what can happen from there?''

SUPER NETBALL PRELIMINARY FINAL
NSW Swifts v Melbourne Vixens

Sunday, 1pm, State Sports Centre, Sydney
This season: Swifts 2, Vixens 0
Last time: Swifts 57 d Vixens 51, rd 13, in Sydney.
Likely starting sevens: Swifts - Sam Wallace (GS), Helen Housby (GA), Nat Haythornthwaite (WA), Maddy Proud (C), Katrina Rore (WD), Maddy Turner (GD), Sarah Klau (GK). Vixens - Caitlin Thwaites (GS), Tegan Philip (GA), Liz Watson (WA), Kate Moloney (C), Renae Ingles (WD), Jo Weston (GD), Emily Mannix (GK)

Prediction

Almost too tight to call, but while the Vixens rebounded from a dismal end to the home-and-away rounds, the Swifts appear to have gone off the boil slightly late in the kind of injury-interrupted season their preliminary final opponents endured last year. Providing their sometimes fragile attack continues functioning as well as it did in the semis against the Magpies, Vixens by 2.