3 minute read
There was no rest for the Melbourne Vixens' representative stars following a gruelling Netball World Cup, but a crucial win has them on the verge of the finals.
Melbourne Vixens coach Simone McKinnis has heaped praise on her returning World Cup stars after each played their part in keeping her side on track for a semi-final berth.
Barely one week from completing a hectic 10-day schedule at the World Cup in Liverpool, Australian Diamonds Caitlin Thwaites, Liz Watson and Jo Weston helped steer the Vixens to a third successive Super Netball victory.
Pushing through the disappointment of a one-goal loss to New Zealand in the gold medal match, the Vixens trio were forced to dig deep against a determined Adelaide Thunderbirds outfit that challenged them until the final whistle.
While McKinnis knew victory would take them one step closer to securing a top-four finish, player management was also at the forefront of the coach's mind.
"There was an awareness that that was going to be the case today," McKinnis said after the Vixen's 63-57 win over the Thunderbirds.
"It was not pre-planning but being aware and keeping an eye on the girls throughout the match, and that was a tough match - I'm happy to get through with what we did."
While the presence of Jamaican defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney allowed Weston to spend some time on the interchange bench, Thwaites and Watson played every minute of the match.
Thwaites finished with 30 goals from 33 attempts while Watson, fresh off leading the World Cup competition in goal assists, compiled a game-high 27 assists but also made some uncharacteristic turnovers.
The Thunderbirds performed admirably despite the late withdrawal of World Cup winner Maria Folau, rotating a number of players off the interchange to keep the pressure on the Vixens.
"I'm glad to get through that because it was always going to be tough," McKinnis said.
"Even though we had a really good week and the girls were really good when they came back, it's not (the same).
"You get into a contest like that with the emotional toll and all of that, you start to feel it.
"So I'm really proud of the girls - the way they have come back, the way they have stepped out on court and absolutely wrapped to have the win and the six (competition) points."
