This weekend, John Cain Arena will finally come alive.
And the city will be divided.
The Melbourne derby is here and with the Melbourne Mavericks desperate to show up their city rivals, you surely cannot miss this one.
Yes, there will be netball. With the epic showdown between the Mavs and Vixens taking place on the court. But it’s about more than just netball.
It’s a Saturday evening in Melbourne and with the weather looking average at best where else would you rather be than the warmth of JCA with a beverage in one hand a bucket of chips in the other.
With plenty of pre-game activities to keep you occupied, music to keep the vibes high and the world’s best out on the court.
For the young ones, there will be several skills and craft zones inside the concourse and merch up for grabs. Not to mention the food and beverages on offer.
The two Melbourne teams go head-to-head this weekend.
Grab your tickets now via Ticketek. Saturday 28 March, John Cain Arena – centre pass 5PM AEDT.
There’s no doubt Saturday’s match will be fast, fierce and plenty of fun.
If you can’t make the game, make sure to tune in LIVE or catch up on Kayo, Foxtel and BINGE.
ABOUT THE GAME
For the netball nuts who are attending for both the pre-game vibes and on court action, here’s what the match has in store.
So far the Mavs have shown glimpses that they could become, dangerous, dynamic and fearless but there’s one thing that still haunts them.
The Melbourne Vixens.
They’re the reigning champs for a reason and the Mavs have never defeated the Vixens but this weekend they’re primed to strike.
This isn’t just another outing for the Mavs, it’s their first home game of the season and in the sporting capital, there’s no better place to be.
Mavs fans will remember the ears pounding, heart racing and goosebumps at the last Mavs home game.
The Mavs will take on the reigning champs this weekend.
Now picture being part of the roar if the Mavs defeat the reigning champs this weekend and take bragging rights in Victoria.
Likewise, it’s the Vixens first outing in Melbourne since the Grand Final, a chance for Vixens fans to see the reigning premiers in action.
This weekend they’ll deliver cohesion, experience and ruthless energy as they look to keep their winning streak alive.
While the Mavs may be hungry, the Vixens will be determined to make them starve.
The Mavs boast more firepower than ever before with last year’s Liz Ellis Diamond Jamie-Lee Price cementing her spot in the team.
Star defender Tara Hinchliffe, Super Shot specialist Reilley Batcheldor and veteran Maddie Hay will join her in stepping onto the court in Mavs’ blue for the first time in front of a home crowd.
And how about the match ups?
Price vs Kate Moloney in the midcourt will be electric.
As will be Shimona Nelson vs Emily Mannix, the latter playing her first game in front of a Melbourne crowd since giving birth last year.
Then there’s Batcheldor vs Jo Weston, the two won’t give each other an inch as they fight for space in the Super Shot zone.