Collingwood downed in Super Netball

Melbourne Vixens have upset the star-studded Collingwood Magpies 58-55 in the opening round of the new Super Netball competition at Hisense Arena on Saturday night.

The Vixens held strong in the dying minutes of the local derby to topple the heavily-favoured Magpies.

The match was in the balance until the last minute however the Vixens applied huge defensive pressure to hang on to their lead, which fluctuated between one and five goals in the final quarter.

Caitlin Thwaites top scored for the Pies, who boasted five current Diamonds players, slotting 47 from 48.

Vixens goal attack Tegan Philip made a superb return to top-flight netball from an ACL injury which sidelined her last season to score 29 goals from 36 attempts.

Philp held her own against Diamonds stars April Brandley and Sharni Layton and combined beautifully with new recruit Mwai Kumwenda at goal.

Kumwenda matched up with Layton and showed excellent vision and accuracy to slot 29 goals for the match, missing just one attempt.

After a tightly contested opening, a run of five goals to Thwaites midway through the second quarter gave the Magpies a commanding 22-18 lead but the Vixens ran down the deficit to one goal at half time.

Magpies coach Kristy Keppich-Birrell called her side's first tactical time out, a new addition this season, as her side's lead was whittled down.

She pulled Alice Teague-Neeld, who had only put up four goals for the half under serious pressure from star Vixens defender Jo Weston.

Teague-Neeld was brought back to the action with a quarter to play and with scores at 42-39, but Collingwood couldn't hold on to the lead.

The Vixens play the Sunshine Coast Lightning next week and the Magpies will look for their first win against the Queensland Firebirds.

Magpies coach Kristy Keppich-Birrell said despite its big names, her side failed to perform at its capability,

"We prepared the best that we could with the constraints that we've had around us with regards to our team being together, but that's no excuse. Vixens played better than us today.

"We're certainly not thinking that we're at our best when we hit round one, it's about the journey and getting to the final."

Vixens coach Simone McKinnis said she thought her side showed the benefits of continuity in its roster.

"There has been a huge amount of focus on Collingwood ... all that matters is what happens out on court," McKinnis said.

"The girls were saying themselves they all felt really connected out there on court and that's been something that we've been working on.

"I was really impressed with how they were able to remain composed and play it out."