By: Netball Australia
In this battle of first vs fourth, Sunshine Coast Lightning were desperate to get another win to their name to ensure their place in finals. The Melbourne Vixens, while sitting on top of the ladder, were to face the only team to have beaten them this year and were determined to not lose a second.
The Vixens saw a change from the get-go, with Sharni Lambden replacing the injured Rudi Ellis, out in WD. She had the tough matchup of playing on Liz Watson. In saying that, Lambden’s length seemed to be making a difference, she had two early deflections and was being a menace around the circles’ edge.
She wasn’t the only one causing issues on defence, Cara Koenen struggled against the body pressure of Emily Mannix. Combine that with a few miscommunications meant Koenen had a few uncharacteristic fumbles and was looking a little out of place.
In comparison, the Vixens were clinical in their possession of the ball in offence and shared few passes before achieving goal.
Only down by a goal, the likes of Courtney Bruce being brought into the game filled the Lightning fans with confidence, and rightly so. Clearly happy to be out there, the same couldn’t be said for her opponent in Garbin who was now having to work extra hard and deal with a another level of physicality. It was also tougher for feeders as she does so well to put down in the minds on what pass to throw.
With both teams going hard for the ball, it was going to come down to who could maintain composure off a gain and take advantage.
The Vixens started to get on a run and a timeout was quickly called and a change made, Fretwell back on alongside Batcheldor with the aim of making the most of the power five. A couple of super shots later and a timely rejection on the buzzer from Bruce on Garbin, saw the Lightning only down by three goals at the main break.
It wasn’t an ideal start to the second half for the Lightning, as the Vixens took the lead out to six goals. While they might have increased their pressure up the court, the Vixens were able to throw the long ball to Garbin under the net for an easy score.
It was not only a fast-paced game, but the defensive intensity persisted across the game. Players were clearly out of breath and turnovers started to rise on both sides, but it was more detrimental for the Lightning as they couldn’t afford to fall further behind. As the lead stretched out to nine goals, the Lightning could have fallen apart, but instead they rallied. Their efforts paid off, Batcheldor and Fretwell were able to sink super shots – the power five proving crucial to their comeback. It wasn’t just the goalers who were making moves, however, Ashleigh Ervin subbed back on for Bruce had an immediate impact. Her length and hands over ball earned her team some important ball down the stretch.
With the lead back to only three goals, the Vixens didn’t have a big margin for error. The game continued to seesaw, but this time it was the Lightning who seemed to be carrying the momentum. Through the steady head and hands of Watson and some impressive defensive pressure from Ervin meant that the game was certainly up for grabs.
With a minute left to go, it seemed as if the game was in Lightning’s hands, but a controversial held ball meant that their final chance to even the score was gone. Even more heartbreaking was that it was called on Watson who had zero turnovers for the whole game until this moment. Unfortunately for Watson, her Lightning team would lose by two goals to her old side.
