Vixens crush Firebirds on Moloney’s special day
Justin Chadwick |
The Melbourne Vixens have continued their unbeaten start to the Super Netball season, posting a dominant 71-48 win over the Queensland Firebirds on a special occasion for their “heart and soul” skipper.
In captain Kate Moloney’s 200th game, the Vixens blew past the Firebirds after quarter-time to improve their record to a perfect 9-0 – the club’s best start to a season.
Vixens goal shooter Sophie Garbin scored 44 goals from 48 attempts, while goal attack Kiera Austin was on song with 17 from 19 as well as nailing 4-of-5 Super Shots.
But Sunday’s match was all about Moloney, who starred on her special day with 16 goal assists and 29 feeds.
And in good news for Vixens fans, the 33-year-old has no plans to retire any time soon.
“As long as I’m enjoying it and feel like I’m contributing to the team, I want to keep playing,” Moloney said.
A special video tribute was played after the match to celebrate Moloney’s milestone.
“There isn’t a Vixens without Kate Moloney,” Garbin told Fox Sports.
“She is the heart and soul of this club. She doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk out on court.
“I just know when we’re going into those tough games when we might be down going into the last quarter, I just know I can rely on someone like her to come through with an intercept or a steal.”
The Firebirds slipped to a 2-7 record, leaving them with a mountain to climb in order to make finals.
Star Vixens defender Rudi Ellis had five gains to her name by halftime on the way to eight for the match, but she limped off late in the game.
The Firebirds went goal-for-goal with the Vixens for almost the entirety of the first quarter.
Melbourne’s 100 per cent accuracy meant they went into the first break with a 16-14 lead, but it was in the second quarter they inflicted some major damage.
Ellis tallied three gains for the term and Austin nailed two Super Shots as the home side won the quarter 19-11 to open a 10-goal lead by halftime.
The Firebirds only lost the third quarter by one goal thanks to some hot Super Shot shooting from Te Paea Selby-Rickit, but it was a 20-8 romp in the last as the Vixens again proved there is no hangover from last year’s premiership win.
AAP