If young girls are idolising these women, then they're doing the right thing.

Declaration - I love myself a bit of netball. I love it. 

And this Saturday night will be one of the biggest games of the year.

That’s right, it’s Grand Final time baby! And I have every faith my mighty Melbourne Vixens can upset the Thunderbirds over in Adelaide, and bring home the premiership.

Trust me, I’ve been following this sport since Sharelle, Tash Chocolate and Eloise Southby were kicking butt at the State N-ball and Hockey Centre, so I’m the expert of all netball experts (kind of). 

Let me break it down for you as to why I’m backing my Vixen girls in. This Melbourne outfit is one that contains some out-and-out freak-shows, I mean, star players, that are going to do us all proud on the biggest stage of all, starting with…

Kate Moloney (C)

The Queen of the slick back blonde buns who’s been a key member of the Diamonds for nearing a decade. Kate sports the ‘double c’ - captain and centre, and when talking all-time best centre players, she’s defo in the convo (definitely in the conversation). Kate moves around the court like she’s floating on air (and I sometimes feel that way when I’m watching her), but don’t be fooled, she’s as tough as they come. In the semi against the T-birds, she literally had an opposing players’ kneecap go right through her cranium, and instead of being carted off on a stretcher, she got up and had 400 touches. Expect her to dominate, so long as she has her skim latte on the Saturday morning. 

Jo Weston

Put Corletto, Geitz, Ellis and Chatfield all together, and you get Weston. That’s how good of a defender she is. She’s full of kindness, but then you put a netball court in front of her, and this killer instinct comes out. Reads the game like a book, thrives on the pressure, and often makes the competition’s best shooters look like lame ducks. Another Diamond, you know what you’re going to get from Weston; like Moloney, she'll play to exhaustion, and in doing so, will lift all of those around her. 

Kiera Austin

The super shot was her b*tch in the prelim… sorry, I mean, she hit the super shot with perfection in the prelim. Kipper has truck loads of talent and a work ethic to match, and like her two teammates above, she's the ultimate big game player. In the highest of high pressure moments, she wants the ball in her hands. Ask any Vixens or Diamonds fan which one player they'd want shooting for goal to save their life, and they'll say Kip Austin. I was interested to read Kiera’s netball idol growing up was her other sister. Love that. Clearly big on family, Kip has been an integral part of the Vixens’ family since moving down from Sydney, and will be again come Grand Final night.

Kate Eddy

Missed most of the year with injury, played her first full game in the prelim against the Fever, and dominated, making two of the best intercepts you’ll ever see in a game of netball. Okay, disclosure - Kate is a friend of my sister’s, and she and I lit up the dance floor earlier this year at my sister’s wedding. Between you and I, I think she’s got a bit of a crush on me. I’m kidding, she thinks I’m a loser, which is why I’m going to make this the nicest player review of them all (tongue out emoji). Kate’s energy is unmatched on court. She’s always got a smile on her face, she’s always supporting her teammates, and she never gives up. That old adage that ‘when it’s your turn to go, you go,’ exemplifies the way Kate plays the game. Week in week out, her teammates have every confidence that when the final whistle goes, Kate will have left everything out on the court. Go well Keddy!

Sophie Garbin

A first-year Vixen who fitted in from the get-go like she’d been at the club ten years, Sophie has quickly found herself as a favourite among fans. Not that she’s foreign to us; we’ve been watching her dominate under the ring for the Diamonds for years now. Faces arguably the greatest challenge of all the Vixens, against an in-form T-birds GK, but Soph is built for the big occasion, relishes the combative nature of finals’ netball, and won’t be taking a backward step. Had a blinder last week, so comes in to the GF in red-hot form. 

Hannah Mundy

Another one of the slick back blond bun brigade, Hannah is arguably the most improved player in the competition, and was rightfully added to the Diamonds squad earlier in the season. I literally get Baywatch running in slow-motion vibes watching her glide across the court. Okay, confession number two, Hannah is bff with my cousin, so I’m an even bigger fan big because of that. I even made a sign with Hannah's name on it, but sadly didn’t get to a game this year. Hannah’s hands and decision making are so good for such a young player, and her Tiktok game is so on point, that I’m despo to do a duet vid with her. Watch her shine on Saturday night. 

Rudy Ellis

Has been a revelation down back in ’24. The two things that have stood out have been her ability to read the play, and her timing. Rudy often sees play unfolding well before her opposition shooters, which allows her to intercept or take best body position. Regularly gets some serious air time when jumping at the ball, and has the kind of reach that always makes her a threat in the contest. An important addition to the team, Rudy has been an under-the-radar type in the eyes of many, but is an absolute gun in the eyes of all. 

Emily Mannix

Emily will start on the bench, but I can't leave her out of this list. She's vice-captain and, like her skipper, is a heart and soul player of the club. It came as no surprise that when Emily was injected into the game vs Fever last week, that the Vixens found another level. As an elite athlete, Emily has always done the simple things really well. That might not sound like the greatest compliment, but ask any coach about reliability - in this case, catching ball, passing with accuracy, and putting a teammate into a strong position - and most will tell you it’s as highly regarded as any other attribute. Nothing short of a warrior, Emily would bleed for this team, all while playing with a level of integrity true sports idols possess. 

The T-birds are the reigning champs, and minor premiers, so will be hard to deny, particularly on their home court.

But I’m with the Vixens all the way.

Having met most of them, I can say loudly and proudly that if the young girls you know idolise these women, then they're on the pathway to achieving something great themselves.

Go the Vix! Saturday night is your time.