Nail-biting one-point grand final victory sends out Melbourne Vixens coach with 'fairytale' finish
The Melbourne Vixens have sent champion coach Simone McKinnis out on the perfect note, with a thrilling one-point win over the West Coast Fever in the Super Netball grand final on Saturday night.
McKinnis announced in May that she would step down at the end of the season. At the time, the Vixens had only two wins from six games.
Now, McKinnis is the 2025 premiership coach after leading her side to a 59-58 victory at Rod Laver Arena.
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"It's very rare you get fairytales like this. It's insane," Vixens star Jo Weston told Fox Netball post-match.
Vixens coach Simone McKinnis celebrates with captain Kate Moloney. Getty
It was a tightly run affair throughout the match, with the Vixens leading by one goal at the end of the first quarter.
By half time, that margin had extended to two, and at the final break, the Vixens led 48-43.
Despite the Fever pushing hard, the Vixens held on for a result Fever captain Jess Anstiss labelled as "pure devastation".
West Coast had gone into the grand final as favourites following a record semi-final win over the Sydney Swifts.
