Super Netball 2025: Melbourne Vixens defender Kate Eddy on her big assignment in her milestone match

Kate Eddy will celebrate a milestone match with one of Super Netball’s biggest assignments - but that’s standard fare for a star who willingly takes on the most disrespected position in the sport.

When Kate Eddy was a junior, wing defence was the position “no one wanted to play” or the first bib thrown on the sidelines when a team only had six players.

Now, the Melbourne Vixens star is preparing to celebrate a milestone match with one of the biggest assignments in Super Netball – containing arguably the game’s best wing attack, Diamonds’ captain Liz Watson.

As a former premiership teammate of Watson’s at the Vixens before the midcourt star’s move to the Sunshine Coast Lightning, Eddy has had an insider’s view on the strengths of the two-time Liz Ellis Diamond winner.

If Eddy had been hoping the netball gods would go easy on her in her 100th game, they didn’t get the memo. Watson leads the league for centre pass receives and is a close second in goal assists.

“I feel like whenever I get asked the question of who is the hardest player to play against – even when Liz was at the Vixens – it would always be training against Liz,” Eddy said.

Kate Eddy (L) is readying herself for a milestone 100th game. Picture: Getty

“Watching footage of Lizzy, we all know what she loves to do with the ball in her hand, so it will definitely be a hard role to play against her.

“I know that I am directly against Liz when I play wing defence and she is wing attack, but it is always a joint effort for sure in that defensive end.

“Lizzy is very fast and powerful, I probably won’t match her for speed, but in terms of height, I think I can cause a little bit of doubt in whoever is passing Liz the ball because I am a little bit bigger than her. I can cover her a little bit.”

It might be jovial to start with before the opening whistle, but Eddy said it would be quickly down to business.

“For a lot of us girls when we go out and play, sometimes you don’t really go out and talk to the opposition,” Eddy said.

“You might shake hands, but it’s always a bit of a cuddle with Liz or a bit of tickle or stuff like that on the transverse line.

“But always once the game has started, it’s all white-line fever and hell for leather. You don’t really think twice about being mates until it’s all over then you can celebrate and laugh about life off the netball court.”

Kate Eddy (R) with defensive teammates Rudi Ellis (L) and Jo Weston (C). (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

A versatile defender with the ability to play inside or outside the circle, Eddy has made wing defence her own since her return to the Vixens – where she started as a squad member before a two-year stint with the Swifts – in 2020.

Somewhat of an unsung hero in the Vixens’ defence, Eddy will often get the job on the opposition team’s leading playmakers.

She has been able to learn from one of Australia’s greatest wing defence – outgoing Vixens coach Simone McKinnis, who will step down at the end of the season after 13 years.

“I have learned so much from her,” Eddy said.

“I think when I first came to the Vixens, I was trying to fill Renae Ingles’ shoes.

“Simone has been a blessing for me and to be able to learn off her and listen to her and for her to work with myself, I have done a lot of little one on one sessions with Simone, just wing defence speciality things, I would not be the player or the person I am without her.

“To see her go, it has taken a lot for me to get over it. I’m really going to miss having her and a defensive specialist like her, as she has been absolutely amazing for me.

“Hopefully we can finish it off for Simone and hold the cup up at the end of the year and send her out in style.”

Simone McKinnis (R) is stepping down as Melbourne Vixens head coach after this season. Picture: Getty

Eddy’s respect for the WD position while playing under McKinnis has only grown as well.

“I love wing defence. I have come to respect the position so much,” Eddy said.

“I feel like as a little kid, it was the position that no one wanted to play, or is the position that is taken off first if you have only got six players.

“But I think as I have gotten older, for me it is always a challenge …. I think the wing attacks are always the smartest players on the court, so having to come against that is always a challenge and I really like that.”

As she reflected on a milestone which she “never thought would happen”, Eddy admitted she had still not given up hope on the dream of a Diamonds’ call-up one day – even if the clock was ticking at the age of 28.

“That has always been a dream ever since I was a little kid – it’s something I would definitely love to do,” said Eddy, who was Australian vice-captain at the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup.

Kate Eddy contests the ball against Adelaide’s Latanya Wilson. Picture: Getty

“For me it’s just making sure I play my role at the Vixens in my day-to-day environment …. and if it happens it happens.

“I’m getting older as well, so I just try to put my best foot forward at Vixens and perform for the team and if that ends up being a Diamonds’ spot, I would take it with two hands for sure.”

While there will be a fresh direction at the Vixens next year with a new head coach – and the potential for personnel change – Eddy was committed to a future with the club.

“It is the best club in the league. I don’t want to leave the club at all,” Eddy said.

“It is definitely the best place and the best people and for me and my netball, it’s the best place for me to be to thrive.

“You’re always happy on court when you’re happy off court as well so I think being in Melbourne and being at the Vixens is definitely somewhere I want to be next year.”