Super Netball 2024: Melbourne Vixens young gun has been watching rival shooter Sophie Fawns closely

The Vixens’ latest squad member Lily Graham has been taking inspiration from a rival shooter as she prepares to fill void left by Mwai Kumwenda.

Vixens newly-elevated shooter Lily Graham is taking inspiration from a rival goaler in a bid to make the most of her opportunity as Mwai Kumwenda’s replacement this Super Netball season.

Graham, just 18, has been named to replace the experienced Kumwenda – who revealed she is pregnant and unable to play the 2024 season.

The huge news came as a shock to Graham, who has only been in the Vixens training environment for several months.

But Graham said she was drawing inspiration from rival shooter Sophie Fawns.

Fawns was given a similar opportunity as Graham at the Swifts back in 2022 after Sam Wallace ruptured her ACL.

Like Graham, Fawns was just 18. She went on to have a break out season and take the competition by storm.

“What she’s done with her opportunity is amazing,” Graham said.

This will be Sophie Fawns third season in the league. Picture: Getty Images

“I love watching her play, she’s so dynamic, she’s an inspiration.”

The 183 cm shooter said a small part of her had hoped she might get a tap on the shoulder when teammate Kumwenda announced she was pregnant but she stomped it out almost as soon as she had thought it.

“I’m very new, it’s my first year. There are girls way more experienced than me,” Graham said.

She had buried the thought so far that it didn’t even register that might be why coach Simone McKinnis had called her into a meeting in the middle of a gym session.

“I actually didn’t know what she was going to say,” Graham said. “I remember thinking this could be about anything.”

When McKinnis shared the exciting news Graham said she was almost left speechless.

“All I could say was thank you – and that’s all I said for about five minutes because I didn’t know what else to say,” she said.

McKinnis said going into the season with Kumwenda would be a challenge but she was confident the team could adapt.

The Vixens lost in the semi final to the West Coast Fever last season. Picture: Getty Images

“She’s been a great support to the goalers that are there now,” Kumwenda said.

“There’s some young goalers and she’s been a great support to them which I’m really enjoying seeing.

“But certainly it threw up some challenges in that what you thought that you were going into the season with has changed and you have to rejig, rethink and replan.

“We’ve got a couple of young goalers that are doing really, really well.

“It’s a challenge but it’s also exciting.

“Collectively as a team everyone’s been really positive.

Graham said the Vixens environment was a big jump from playing in the Victorian Netball League and even from her first experience representing Victoria Fury at the Australian Netball Championships last year.

“The training sessions are a lot more intense but the girls have been so inclusive and have really made an effort to get to know me and made me feel welcome,” Graham said.

Lily Graham is loving her time at the Vixens. Picture: Nicki Connolly

“You feel like you are part of the team no matter what your role is.

“I love coming to training every day.”

Graham admitted to being a little star struck by her teammates, which includes Sophie Garbin, Kiera Austin, Kate Moloney and Jo Weston, at first.

“I’m just taking in every moment that I have with the girls out on court and their feedback as well during training and in games,” Graham said.

“I’m just putting my best self forward on and off the court so I can be in the moment and enjoy it.”

Graham said the season would be full of firsts – starting with travelling for Team Girls Cup this weekend and playing in front of a crowd.

“I’m a little nervous about playing in front of a crowd, but I’m excited to say it will be my first time playing something like this and getting to see all of the clubs and other girls,” Graham said.

“It’s definitely an adjustment but I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Originally published as Super Netball 2024: Melbourne Vixens young gun has been watching rival shooter Sophie Fawns closely