Vixens stun Swifts

By Charlie McKay

Melbourne Vixens continue their late-season surge, stunning the ladder-leading Swifts in thrilling 70-68 victory at John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The result marks a second straight loss for the Swifts after a near-flawless start to the season, while the Vixens climb back into fourth place, firmly staking their claim for a finals berth.

The Vixens burst out of the blocks, immediately putting the Swifts on the backfoot.

MVP Kiera Austin was electric early, burning Maddy Turner on circle drives and snatching two quick deflections in defence.

At the other end, Jo Weston spearheaded a defensive surge, disrupting the feed into Swifts’ star shooter Grace Nweke. Tight zone pressure saw the ball soaring over the baseline, and the Vixens edged ahead.

An Austin super shot was swiftly answered by Helen Housby, keeping the Swifts in touch, but the home side held an 18–15 lead at quarter-time.

Roared on by a sold-out Melbourne crowd, the Vixens surged ahead in the second term.

They were fluent and composed in attack, with Austin and Sophie Garbin rediscovering their near-telepathic connection.

Down back, the Vixens won crucial ball and stifled a Swifts attack line that has been almost impenetrable in 2025.

By half time, the Vixens had stretched their lead to 39–30, leaving the Swifts with plenty of work to do.

But the visitors responded in the third, chipping away at the margin and setting up a tight finish. 

Head coach Briony Akle swung the changes, injecting Sophie Fawns to combine with Housby for a potent super shot threat.

They claimed the premiership quarter 18–15, but the Vixens still held a six-goal lead heading into the final 15. 

The Vixens hummed along in the fourth, but alarm bells rang during the Power Five.

Housby sparked a late charge, draining a flurry of super shots to drag the Swifts back into contention. 

Tension peaked as a crucial turnover cut the margin to two, with the Swifts holding possession. 

But Sophie Fawns couldn’t convert under pressure, and the Vixens clutched the rebound — holding their nerve to close out a thrilling 70–68 win.