Firebirds upset Vixens in Super Netball

The Queensland Firebirds have ended the Melbourne Vixens' unbeaten Super Netball start with an impressive 59-55 win in Melbourne.

Shooting for a third-successive victory, the Vixens led at every change before Queensland swung Saturday's game with a 10-3 run in the fourth quarter to register back-to-back wins.

The home side led by four goals in the third quarter, but the Firebirds' defensive pressure forced a string of turnovers and shooter Romelda Aiken made all 11 goal attempts in the final quarter to seal the victory.

"They came out in the last quarter and just grabbed it - they refused to give up," Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke said after her side wore down the Vixens in a tight match.

"I just felt that our defensive pressure all over the court was excellent."

Aiken finished with 40 goals from 47 attempts, while Gretel Tippett added 19, with the Firebirds winning three of the quarters to claim seven competition points in the win.

Vixens shooters Mwai Kumwenda (29/32) and Tegan Philip (26/29) combined to shoot at more than 90 per cent accuracy, but were starved of opportunities in the closing stages as Queensland's pressure took its toll.

"Obviously, we had a good start to the game but I thought we just gradually dropped off each quarter," Vixens coach Simone McKinnis said after the loss.

"It just sort of dropped off across the game and I felt that the work rate and the pressure of the Firebirds was superior to us in the end."

Former Diamonds captain Laura Geitz returned to the Firebirds' line-up after missing one game with a back complaint. Vixens defender Jo Weston took her place after picking up an ankle injury in last week's win over the NSW Swifts.

Melbourne closed a tight opening quarter with six of the last seven goals to lead 17-14 and claim the first bonus point.

But the visitors turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter, forcing six turnovers as they cut the gap to one before Philip scored on the buzzer to put her side ahead 31-29 at halftime.

The Vixens regained their four-goal advantage early in the third quarter, but the Firebirds inched their way back with Aiken's late goal putting Queensland within striking distance after three quarters.

The Firebirds will aim for a third-straight win next Saturday when they take on the Giants in Sydney, while the Vixens face the Thunderbirds on Sunday week in Adelaide.