This will be first grand final Vixens captain Kate Moloney plays solo without Liz Watson by her side.
When Watson left for the Sunshine Coast, many wondered how the team would go after farewelling their co-captain and the Diamonds midcourter that is widely known as the best wing attack in the world.
Instead, the Vixens have proven the structure of their team is still as successful without her.
They put themselves forward as firm favourites after reaching the Team Girls Cup final in pre-season.
It was here that we got to see young Zara Walters for the first time. In her debut season, Walters has helped to plug the hole Watson left in the midcourt and will certainly be in-line for Super Netball’s Rookie of the Year Award.
The side also lost Malawi star Mwai Kumwenda in the shooting department, as she took the season off with pregnancy. Instead, they signed Diamond Sophie Garbin who had the season from hell last year at the now defunct Collingwood Magpies.
The move has been rather successful for Garbin who is now in her best career form, with a starting GS role and showing a lot more stamina with her fitness.
Pairing with fellow Diamond Kiera Austin, the shooting duo have done well sharing responsibilities this year.
For the most part they have been on-song, but in in recent games Garbin has been a little shaky and that’s where the handy work of rising star Lily Graham has been useful.
The 18-year-old is in her debut season at Vixens and featured in six games. We could see her feature tonight in the super shot period as she is brilliant long-range.
But overall, it’s pretty remarkable Vixens have reached the Grand Final as they haven’t had full 10 available for most of the season .
It’s been a revolving door of injuries for the side with Jo Weston, Kate Eddy, Hannah Mundy and Zara Walters all going missing for some of their games. Good news is they’re all back and ready to fire tonight!
dan