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Defending Super Netball premiers Melbourne Vixens can thank debutante Rahni Samason for their Indigenous Round 66-64 upset over the Queensland Firebirds.
A fairytale debut from Rahni Samason has launched the Melbourne Vixens to their first win of the Super Netball season in a 66-64 shock against the Queensland Firebirds.
Samason revelled in her Indigenous Round unveiling, calmly sinking a two-point Super Shot in the last second to hand the Vixens a heart-stopping victory against the sixth-placed Firebirds at Brisbane's Nissan Arena.
The 23-year-old's 27 goals at 93 per cent accuracy was a stunning opening statement but nothing could be cooler than her winning shot.
With the game seemingly destined for extra time, the youngster demonstrated awesome poise, draining her eighth super shot to rip the game from Queensland's grasp.
"Looking at Sharelle (assistant coach Sharelle McMahon) her winning shot in the 2007 World Championship, it's what kids dream about and I got it on the first try," said Samason, who boasts Cook Islands heritage on her father's side.
"I don't mind pressure."
The Firebirds should have had the game in their keeping but instead found themselves trailing by a goal late in the third quarter.
With Queensland centre Kim Ravaillion's trajectory back to the Australian Diamonds gathering momentum, the Firebirds traded blows in the last quarter with the visitors.
Defenders Kim Jenner, Gabi Simpson and Rudi Ellis won turnovers for the Firebirds in a frantic period before Samason delivered the last decisive act.
Winless after four rounds, the premiers' mission was complicated by the late withdrawal of defender Emily Mannix who fractured a knuckle in the team's loss to the Giants.
Queensland captain Simpson's lively presence at wing defence was a persistent nuisance for the Victorian attack.
Her repeat efforts worried the Vixens out of a string of possessions as the Firebirds took control in the first half.
The one bright note for the Vixens in the first half was Samason, a star in the second-tier Australian Netball League who only learned of her selection on the morning of the game.
She formed a slick partnership with premiership goaler Mwai Kumwenda (29 goals at 90 per cent).
Defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney helped spark the turnaround, and was responsible for eight gains in a powerful performance against champion Firebirds shooter Romelda Aiken (39 goals).
Rated as finals bolters in the pre-season, the Firebirds are stranded on one victory.
"I don't think you can escape it, really," Firebirds coach Megan Anderson said.
"We've won one and lost four and we need to win the rest to have a chance."
