Super Netball grand final: Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Melbourne Vixens

We’ve just talked up the Vixens patience, but they’ve overworked the ball on their very next scoring opportunity. As time was ticking on Sophie Garbin with the ball in the circle, she couldn’t find a player free and turned 180 degrees and gave the ball straight to Latanya Wilson. Thunderbirds score to bring the game back within two, 24-22.

And as you’d expect, Vixens elect to take their first timeout of the match to try and reset. But surprisingly she used most of the time to speak with Rudi Ellis and Jo Weston asking them to “change it up out there,” in defence. Then she turned to her shooters and said, “you’ve got to give and go. You’re standing still.”

Coming out of the break, she’s switched up her GK injecting Emily Mannix for the first time tonight and sending Ellis to the bench. This was a pretty expected change, once Ellis started to lose her hold on Aiken-George. Mannix should bring plenty of energy with fresh legs. Plus she’s more experienced as a Vixens veteran.