Super Netball: Kim Ravaillion’s benching was a key factor in Collingwood’s loss to the Melbourne Vixens

A first-up defeat shows the pre-season’s most-hyped team won’t be handed the Suncorp Super Netball premiership on a platter.

Vixens Mwai Kumwenda, centre, battles for the ball against Magpies April Brandley and Sharni Layton during their Super Netball match at Hisense Arena in Melbourne. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Former Melbourne Vixens star Natasha Chokljat has backed premiership favourites Collingwood to bounce back from a disappointing first-up loss to the Melbourne Vixens when they take on the Queensland Firebirds on Saturday.

But to do that, they desperately need to get Diamonds star Kim Ravaillion back on court, her absence a key factor in the Pies’ 58-55 loss to the Melbourne Vixens in the opening round of Suncorp Super Netball last weekend.

Chokljat, who won a silver medal with the Diamonds at the 2003 Netball World Championships, said the Pies’ three-goal loss would “hurt like hell” this week.

Vixens Kate Moloney reaches for the ball. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“As clichéd as it sounds, you really do learn a lot from the loss and there will be a good dose of soul-searching by the team this week,” she said.

Star mid-courter Kim Ravaillion, one of the Pies’ key signings in their debut season, played the first half of the match but didn’t return after half time as her team was upstaged by a young Vixens outfit.

“The elephant in the room for Collingwood was Ravaillion, my favourite player, being benched,” Chokljat said.

“I’m not sure whether it was due to injury or fatigue, but it didn’t work. She will bounce back and I would hate to be playing her next week.

“A three-goal loss will hurt like hell but this team is experienced enough to iron out the kinks and sort out the lack of cohesion quickly.”

Vixens Tegan Philip, Kate Moloney and Liz Watson celebrate the win. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Elsewhere, Chokljat said the Queensland Firebirds’ chances of not just defeating Collingwood this weekend but defending their title this season became a whole lot more difficult last weekend, with mid-courter Mahalia Cassidy expected to miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

“Erin Burger, the South African centre, is believed to be filling the spot, so we wait with anticipation for her arrival and we’re looking forward to what she will add to the mix,” Chokljat said.

The Firebirds kicked off their title defence with a 56-56 draw with newcomers the Sunshine Coast Lightning, but were let down by uncharacteristically poor shooting by Romelda Aiken and Gretel Tippett.

Suncorp Super Netball Round 2 fixture

Saturday, 5pm: Swifts vs Thunderbirds (Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney)

Saturday, 7pm: Giants vs Fever (Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney)

Saturday, 7.45pm: Firebirds vs Magpies (Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre)

Sunday, noon: Lightning vs Vixens (University of the Sunshine Coast)