They may be the 2025 defending champions with zero changes to their playing roster, but after many many years as an assistant under Simone McKinnis, Di Honey has now stepped up to take on the head coaching role and been dealt some challenges in the back-end of the regular season.
The team were flying in the beginning and won nine rounds straight before they were hit with injury and illness. This has led to some shaky form. They have now lost four of their last five games and the past three have been to the other finals teams: Thunderbirds (61-42), Mavericks (59-50), Fever (64-55).
Midcourter Hannah Mundy and defenders Rudi Ellis and Em Mannix were unavailable in round 10 to play against the Sunshine Coast Lightning. As a result the Vixens suffered their first loss of the season, 66-56. Mundy was missing again in round 11, while the defenders returned. But the loss derailed their confidence. Then third shooter Lily Graham was ruled out in round 12 and has been missing for three weeks. Thankfully, she makes her return for the major semifinal today.
These changes to the line-up have uspet the team’s connections and their flow in attack. It has also mean they’ve lacked the depth required to win games with the rolling subs in play when their starting seven aren’t firing. As they haven’t had their tried and tested combinations to turn to on the bench. Are they the most in-form team? No. But when they’re at their best, Plan A is electric. It is so clinical and difficult to face.
Heading into the finals this is more of a mental battle than anything else for the Vixens. Deep down do they believe they can still win? And can they keep their heads high when challenged?
