Vixens out to silence the doubters

Apr 29, 2017 - 6:29 PM Melbourne Vixens vice-captain Liz Watson says the ladder leaders continue to be motivated by pre-season predictions which wrote them off as contenders.

Plenty of star power left the five foundation sides for the new Giants, Magpies and Sunshine Coast Lightning teams introduced for the inaugural Super Netball competition.

The Vixens lost one of the ANZ Championship's biggest names and most prolific defenders in England captain Geva Mentor, and with it the favour and faith of punters.

Meanwhile, coach Simone McKinnis quietly secured the services of import shooter Mwai Kumwenda, now the league's fourth highest scorer, and showed faith the home-grown talent waiting for an opportunity.

Since toppling the star-studded Magpies in round one, the Vixens have proved the early speculation wide of the mark.

With four rounds to play they are a game clear at the top and on a seven-game streak which has seen them beat every team in the league.

Watson said being underestimated fuels her team every time they head out to play.

"Looking at the start of the season, we probably were written off by lots of people, that has given us lots of motivation, Watson said.

"We know we need to be strong, I guess we're underrated but that's what's driven us, we have such a belief in the group.

"Lots of people say we're quite young, but we've played together pretty much our whole career, lots of us. It's nice that we can be (performing) at this level together."

The Lightning were the Vixens' latest scalp on Saturday night and the 11-goal victory reversed their only loss of the season, which came in round two.

Watson saved one of her best games of the season for a mighty battle with Silver Ferns great Laura Langman and finished with the most feeds (47) and goal assists (26).

"I think this is the point where we can really reassess and see what's ahead for us," she said.

"We don't want to focus too much on the finals, obviously it's in our mind that we do want to get there, and also put out good performances leading in.

"We have really set up our game plan well and we know that we are going to get there but once finals start it's a completely ball game, we all back to square one and it's about consolidating our game plan leading into that."

Source: AAP