By Charlie McKay
The Melbourne Vixens have dashed the Adelaide Thunderbirds' hopes of a three-peat, claiming a hard-fought 58–56 victory in a thrilling minor semi-final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The result ends a five-game losing streak against the Thunderbirds—including last season’s heartbreaking grand final defeat—and keeps the Vixens' premiership hopes alive.
Known for their suffocating defence, the Thunderbirds never quite found their rhythm against a firing Vixens outfit.
The visitors were strong from the outset, with Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin combining seamlessly in the circle.
Kate Eddy made an early statement following her Diamonds omission, collecting two intercepts in a standout first quarter.
Her battle with Thunderbirds stalwart Georgie Horjus proved pivotal, and she managed to limit the playmaker's impact early.
The Thunderbirds found their feet late in the quarter, but the Vixens held a narrow 13-11 lead at the first break.
The Vixens looked hungrier for the ball, pushing ahead in the second term while the Thunderbirds struggled to match their intensity.
The visitors pounced on a sluggish start from the Thunderbirds and a surprisingly flat Adelaide crowd.
The Vixens advance to preliminary final after shaky start to season 2025.Star defender Latanya Wilson was kept unusually quiet, not registering a touch until midway through the second quarter.
Sophie Garbin was unstoppable for the Vixens under the post, shooting 39 goals at 92 per cent despite some rocky performances against the Thunderbirds defence in the past.
A positional switch saw Georgie Horjus move into goal attack to inject speed into the circle — and she promptly delivered back-to-back super shots to keep her side within reach.
Despite the late surge, the Vixens maintained control, taking a 28–25 lead into the main break.
But the reigning premiers weren’t going down without a fight, charging into the second half with intent. .
Early gains and sharp conversions from the Thunderbirds forced a Vixens tactical timeout as momentum began to shift.
Jo Weston was moved into wing defence in response, while Eddy swung into goal defence — a switch that paid dividends.
The Vixens regrouped and regained control, continuing their clinical performance to win a third straight quarter and take a 46-42 lead into the final break.
The Thunderbirds came out firing in the final term, bursting to a 5–2 run and quickly closing the gap. The Vixens looked toey as the pressure mounted.
The sides went goal for goal, with the Vixens clinging to a slim one or two-goal buffer as intensity soared and neither team gave an inch.
In a crucial moment, the ever-reliable Romelda Aiken-George fumbled under pressure, handing the Vixens a vital turnover.
But just as the visitors looked to pull away, Horjus lit up the stadium with back-to-back super shots to snatch a one-goal lead for the Thunderbirds.
Austin answered with a clutch super shot of her own, before a third long-range attempt from Horjus missed the mark – allowing the Vixens to steady and close out the match.
Austin won MVP honours, earning 114 Net Points and sinking a crucial five super shots at 100 per cent accuracy.
