Melbourne Vixens into Super Netball grand final after defeating Sunshine Coast Lightning
The Melbourne Vixens are through to the 2020 Super Netball grand final after defeating the Sunshine Coast Lightning 63-47.
At USC Stadium in front of a loud crowd filled with Lightning fans, the Vixens were on top throughout their semi-final clash, asserting their dominance to ensure retiring stars Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip have chance at a dream farewell.
The duo will play their last netball game in the season finale on October 18 in Brisbane before calling it quits.
Emily Mannix was named player of the match with a strong defensive performance for the Vixens, making scoring for the Lightning a tough task.
Mannix finished with four intercepts, with eight gains.
"It hasn't quite sunk in. The Vixens made the grand final in 2014 and I started in 2015," Mannix said post-game.
"I can't believe we've got here, it's bloody unreal."
Emily Mannix and Liz Watson of the Vixens celebrate after securing a spot in the Grand Final Getty
The Lightning still have a second chance at the preliminary final against either West Coast Fever or the NSW Swifts next weekend.
Melbourne outscored Sunshine Coast three quarters to one, with a late surge by the Lightning not enough for a miraculous comeback.
"The Vixens put a clinic on us," Lightning goal attack Steph Wood said.
Cara Koenen top-scored for the Lightning with 25 points (23/25) and Steph Wood had 22 points (16/16).
For the Vixens, Thwaites sank 25 from 28 and Mwai Kumwenda had 31 goals.
"I'm exceptionally proud," Melbourne Vixens head coach, Simone McKinnis said.
"I'm proud of them, I'm proud of everyone that's worked with the Vixens. It's a group that's had some heartache in terms of finals in Super Netball, but they're a group that have learnt and grown and matured and taken those learnings to where they are now with an opportunity to win a Grand Final, so I'm super proud of them."
