Misplaced Pages

Melbourne Vixens

Founded	2007; 17 years ago (2007)
Based in	Melbourne
Regions	Victoria
Home venue	John Cain Arena Margaret Court Arena
Head coach	Simone McKinnis
Captain	Kate Moloney
Vice-captain	Emily Mannix
Premierships	3 (2009, 2014, 2020)
League	Suncorp Super Netball ANZ Championship
2022 placing	1st
Website	melbournevixens.com.au
Uniform

Melbourne Vixens is an Australian professional netball team based in Melbourne, Victoria. Since 2017 they have represented Netball Victoria in Suncorp Super Netball. Between 2008 and 2016, they played in the ANZ Championship. The team was formed in 2007 when Netball Victoria merged its two former Commonwealth Bank Trophy league teams, Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Kestrels. Vixens have won three premierships, in 2009, 2014 and 2020.

History

ANZ Championship

Between 2008 and 2016, Vixens played in the ANZ Championship. Vixens were formed in late 2007 when Netball Victoria merged its two former Commonwealth Bank Trophy league teams, Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Kestrels, in order to enter a single team in the 2008 ANZ Championship. During the ANZ Championship era, Vixens won two premierships, in 2009 and 2014. In 2009, with a team co-captained by Bianca Chatfield and Sharelle McMahon, Vixens won 12 of their 13 matches during the regular season and finished as minor premiers. Vixens subsequently defeated Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 58–43 in the major semi-final and Adelaide Thunderbirds 54–46 in the grand final to finish as overall champions.

In 2012, with a team captained by Bianca Chatfield, and featuring Madison Browne, Julie Corletto and Geva Mentor, Vixens finished the season as minor premiers. In the major semi-final they defeated Northern Mystics 56–50. This was the first ever netball match held at Rod Laver Arena. However they lost the grand final 41–38 to Magic and finished the season as runners-up.

In 2014, with a team coached by Simone McKinnis, captained by Bianca Chatfield and also featuring Tegan Caldwell, Geva Mentor, Madison Browne and the veteran Catherine Cox, Vixens won both the minor premiership and the overall championship. Vixens defeated Queensland Firebirds in both the major semi-final and the grand final as they won their second premiership.

Regular season statistics

  Premierships
  Runners Up

Suncorp Super Netball

Since 2017, Vixens have represented Netball Victoria in Suncorp Super Netball. With a team coached by Simone McKinnis and captained by Kate Moloney, Vixens finished the inaugural season as minor premiers. However they subsequently lost both the major semi-final and preliminary final during the Finals Series and finished third overall. Four Vixens players – Mwai Kumwenda, Tegan Philip, Liz Watson and Jo Weston were named in the 2017 Team of the Year.

In 2020, with a team coached again by Simone McKinnis and co-captained by Kate Moloney and Liz Watson, Vixens finished the season as both minor premiers and overall champions. In the Grand Final they defeated West Coast Fever 66–64.

Following its championship win in 2020, the Vixens struggled in 2021, finishing last and claiming the wooden spoon for the first time in club history.

Vixens dominated the 2022 regular season before a shock defeat in the major semi-final by the West Coast Fever forced them to reach the Grand Final by winning the preliminary final, winning against GIANTS Netball 55-54. The club was unable to beat the Fever in the Grand Final, losing 70-59 and walking away runners-up.

Regular season statistics

  Premierships
  Minor Premiers
  Runners Up

Grand finals

ANZ Championship

Suncorp Super Netball

Home venues

Vixens main home venue has been John Cain Arena. Between 2008 and 2011 they also played some home games at the State Netball Hockey Centre. Since 2015, Margaret Court Arena has replaced the SNHC as Vixens secondary venue.

Notes

• ^1 Previously known as Vodafone Arena, Hisense Arena and Melbourne Arena

Current and notable players

2025 squad

2025 Melbourne Vixens roster
Players	Coaching staff
Nat. Name Position(s) DoB Height Kiera Austin GA, WA,GS (1997-08-26) 26 August 1997 (age 27) 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Sophie Garbin GS, GA (1997-04-06) 6 April 1997 (age 27) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Kate Eddy GD, WD, GK (1996-12-28) 28 December 1996 (age 28) 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) Lily Graham GS, GA (2005-09-27) 27 September 2005 (age 19) 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Rudi Ellis GK, GD (1997-08-13) 13 August 1997 (age 27) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Emily Mannix (vc) GK, GD (1994-04-16) 16 April 1994 (age 30) 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Kate Moloney (c) C, WD, WA (1993-01-08) 8 January 1993 (age 31) 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) Hannah Mundy C, WA, WD (2001-06-10) 10 June 2001 (age 23) 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) Zara Walters WA, C (2003-10-23) 23 October 2003 (age 21) 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) Joanna Weston GD, WD, GK (1994-02-14) 14 February 1994 (age 30) 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)	Head coach Simone McKinnis Assistant coach Di Honey Notes (c) – Captain (cc) – Co-captain (vc) – Vice-captain – Injury / maternity leave (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Player profiles: Team website	Last updated: 05 October 2024

Internationals

 Australia

 Australia Fast5

• Karyn Bailey
• Johannah Curran
• Carla Dziwoki
• Amy Steel

 England

• Ama Agbeze
• Geva Mentor
• Abby Sargent

 Jamaica

• Kadie-Ann Dehaney

 Malawi

• Mwai Kumwenda

 South Africa

• Ine-Marí Venter

Captains

Award winners

Australian Netball Awards

Liz Ellis Diamond

Source:

Australian ANZ Championship Player of the Year

Suncorp Super Netball

SSN Grand Final MVP

SSN Team of the Year

ANZ Championship

ANZ Championship MVP

Notes

• ^2 In 2016 Madison Browne was the MVP player in the Australian Conference and Jhaniele Fowler was the MVP player in the New Zealand Conference.

ANZ Championship Grand Final MVP

Source:

ANZ Championship All Stars

Vixens awards

Sharelle McMahon Medal

Since 2014 the Vixens' most valuable player of season award has been known as the Sharelle McMahon Medal.

Source:

Coaches' Award

Source:

Player of the Finals

Source:

Rookie of the Year

Source:

Excellence in Sport and Life Award

Source:

Head coaches

Netball Australia Joyce Browne Coach of the Year Award

Team song

You want the best, Here we are, We'll give it all right now.
We're here to win, Come with us
We're gonna show you how

Stand up, Be proud, Shout it out loud

We are the Vixens, No one stands in our way, Power together
Stronger in every way, As one

We wear it true, Navy blue, That's what we're all about
Victoria, Feel the pride. And let the fox come out

Power, Power together, Power as one, Power, Power together
Vixens!

One team, One dream, Shout it out loud

We are the Vixens, No one stands in our way, Power together
Stronger in every way, As one

Source:

Victorian Fury

Victorian Fury are the reserve team of Melbourne Vixens. They play in the Australian Netball League. Fury are the most successful team in the ANL, winning their eighth premiership in 2019.

Premierships

• Suncorp Super Netball
  • Winners: 2020
  • Minor Premierships: 2017, 2020, 2022
• ANZ Championship
  • Winners: 2009, 2014
  • Runners Up: 2012
  • Minor Premierships: 2009, 2012, 2014

References

1. "Melbourne Vixens - Our history". melbournevixens.com.au. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
2. ^ "Melbourne Vixens". supernetball.com.au. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
3. ^ "Netball Victoria – Annual Report 2009" (PDF). Netball Victoria. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
4. "2009 Annual Report - Netball Australia" (PDF). netball.com.au. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
5. ^ "Netball Australia Annual Report 2012" (PDF). netball.com.au. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
6. ^ "2012 Annual Report – Netball Victoria – Melbourne Vixens" (PDF). Netball Victoria. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
7. ^ "Netball Victoria – Annual Report 2014" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
8. ^ "Melbourne Vixens win ANZ Championship grand final against Queensland Firebirds". www.news.com.au. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
9. ^ "Vixens crowned 2014 Premiers". vic.netball.com.au. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
10. "Vixens' veteran Cath Cox goes out on a high". www.smh.com.au. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
11. "ANZ Championship - 2008 Season Ladder". www.anz-championship.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
12. "ANZ Championship - 2010 Season Ladder". www.anz-championship.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
13. "ANZ Championship - 2011 Season Ladder". www.anz-championship.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
14. "Netball Victoria – Annual Report 2013" (PDF). Netball Victoria. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
15. "Netball Victoria – Annual Report 2015" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
16. ^ "Netball Victoria – 2016 Annual Report" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
17. ^ "Annual Report 2017 – Netball Victoria" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
18. ^ "Australian Netball Awards". netball.com.au. 24 June 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017.
19. ^ "Super Netball 2017 wrap: Highs, lows, stars, stats and moments that mattered". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
20. ^ "Netball Victoria – 2020 Annual Report" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
21. "Melbourne Vixens beat Collingwood Magpies 61-53 to wrap up Super Netball minor premiership". www.abc.net.au. 12 September 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
22. ^ "Melbourne Vixens hold their nerve to beat West Coast Fever 66-64 in Super Netball grand final". www.abc.net.au. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
23. ^ "Vixens crowned Super Netball champions for first time after tight final against Fever". www.theguardian.com. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
24. ^ "Melbourne Vixens win 2020 Grand Final". supernetball.com.au. 18 October 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
25. "Thunderbirds avoid wooden spoon". Super Netball. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
26. "How the Melbourne Vixens made the 2022 Grand Final". Suncorp Super Netball. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
27. "2022 Grand Final Wrap". Suncorp Super Netball. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
28. "Netball Victoria – 2018 Annual Report" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
29. "Netball Victoria – 2019 Annual Report" (PDF). vic.netball.com.au. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
30. "Ladder 2020". supernetball.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
31. "Vixens overpower Thunderbirds". www.smh.com.au. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
32. "Vixens victorious at ANZ Grand Final showdown". www.express.co.uk. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
33. "Netball: Magic win ANZ Championship". www.nzherald.co.nz. 22 July 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
34. "Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic win grand final". www.stuff.co.nz. 23 July 2012.
35. "Netball: At last! Magic claim win for NZ". www.nzherald.co.nz. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
36. "Queensland Firebirds lose final bout in ANZ Championship grand final". www.adelaidenow.com.au. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
37. "West Coast Fever win first Super Netball premiership with 70-59 victory over Melbourne Vixens". www.abc.net.au. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
38. "Fever claim a historic Super Netball title over Vixens". www.smh.com.au. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
39. "Dominant Fever claim first Suncorp Super Netball crown". supernetball.com.au. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
40. "Jhaniele Fowler's accuracy helps West Coast Fever outfox Melbourne Vixens to win Super Netball title". www.theguardian.com. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
41. ^ "Vixens move some games to Margaret Court Arena". www.theage.com.au. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
42. "Vixens top Mystics to earn home final". www.abc.net.au. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
43. "Melbourne Vixens through to ANZ Championship grand final". www.news.com.au. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
44. "Sharelle McMahon". melbournevixens.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
45. "Chatfield to lead Vixens, Robinson as deputy". melbournevixens.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
46. "Melbourne Vixens captain Bianca Chatfield confirms her retirement from netball". stuff.co.nz. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
47. "Madi Robinson to captain Melbourne Vixens". www.smh.com.au. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
48. "Collingwood poach Melbourne Vixens captain and Diamonds star Madi Robinson". www.smh.com.au. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
49. "Moloney, Watson and Mannix to lead the Vixens in 2020". melbournevixens.com.au. 20 July 2020. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021.
50. "Melbourne Vixens name midcourt Kate Moloney captain for inaugural Super Netball season". www.espn.com.au. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019.
51. "Kate Moloney". melbournevixens.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
52. "Liz Ellis Diamond – Award recipients". diamonds.netball.com.au. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
53. "Browne shines with sweep of awards". www.smh.com.au. 25 November 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
54. "Australian Netball Awards". netball.com.au. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
55. "Suncorp Super Netball 2018 Team Of The Year". supernetball.com.au. 24 August 2018. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
56. "2019 Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year". supernetball.com.au. 30 November 2019. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021.
57. "Fowler wins third Player of the Year Award". supernetball.com.au. 16 December 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021.
58. "Robinson, Fowler-Reid named winners of Conference MVP awards". www.scoop.co.nz. 14 July 2016. Archived from the original on 15 July 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
59. "ANZ Championship – Awards". www.anz-championship.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
60. "Three NZ players in netball all-star team". www.stuff.co.nz. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
61. "TTNL names inaugural ANZ Championship All Star Team". www.anz-championship.com. 11 May 2011. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
62. "Official ANZ Championship All-Star Team Announced". www.anz-championship.com. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
63. "Two Silver Ferns selected in All-Star team". www.tvnz.co.nz. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
64. "All-Star selection only dulls pain of coming up short". www.smh.com.au. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
65. "2014 ANZ Championship All-Star team named". www.netballnz.co.nz. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
66. "2014 ANZ Championship All-Star team named". www.rnz.co.nz. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
67. ^ "Sharelle McMahon Medal". Melbourne Vixens. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
68. "End of an era for Vixens". www.anz-championship.com. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
69. "McKinnis signs on as Vixens new coach". www.anz-championship.com. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
70. "Simone McKinnis committed to Vixens after signing two-year deal as search for new Diamonds coach begins". www.heraldsun.com.au. 13 February 2020. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
71. "Australian Netball Awards". Netball Australia. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
72. "Team song". melbournevixens.com.au. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
73. "Deakin University Australian Netball League". melbournevixens.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
74. "Victorian Fury". vic.netball.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
75. "Victorian Fury claim eighth Australian Netball League title". draftcentral.com.au. 2 July 2019. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.

• Melbourne Vixens
• Netball teams in Melbourne
• Netball teams in Australia
• ANZ Championship teams
• Suncorp Super Netball teams
• Sports clubs and teams established in 2007
• 2007 establishments in Australia
• Sport in the City of Melbourne (LGA)