Vixens boost top-two hopes and spoil Rav’s farewell

Sophie Garbin missed just one of her 39 shots in the Vixens' win over the Firebirds. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

The Melbourne Vixens improved their chances of a top-two Super Netball finish and soured Diamonds veteran Kim Ravaillion's farewell game,  scoring a 62-52 away win over the Queensland Firebirds.

Midcourt star Ravailion, who announced her retirement this week, started the final-round game at a sold-out Nissan Arena, but the Vixens proved party-poopers.  

Coming off back-to-back losses, they were much too efficient for the enthusiastic Firebirds and were in control for much of the match.

They were far more accurate in their shooting, making 91 per cent of their attempts, with the wayward Firebirds converting only 69 per cent, including seven of 17 Super Shots.

The Vixens entered the final round one of three teams level on 40 points at the top, and their win lifted them to outright first, with the other two sides still to play.

The Vixens only took three Super Shots, all missed by the otherwise outstanding Kiera Austin (24/29), but together with Diamonds colleague Sophie Garbin (38/39) she gave the Victorian team much more punch in the scoring department.

With their 10 contracted players all available for the first time since round three, the Vixens charged to an 8-1 lead.

The Firebirds slashed the deficit to two at quarter-time and had their only lead at 17-16 early in the second.

Melbourne responded by slamming on the next five goals, and their lead subsequently never dropped below three.

They were up by eight and 10 at half- and three-quarter-time respectively, then by as much as 13 in the fourth. 

“We knew it was going be a highly emotional game, especially for the Firebirds and Ravy’s retirement,” player of the game Austin told Fox Sports.

Kim Ravaillion of the Firebirds.
The Firebirds' Kim Ravaillion (right) was doing the team thing during her final Super Netball game.

“We really wanted to go out and have a good win, especially with the last two losses that we had.

"We were happy to have the first game of the week where you just have to see where a lot of the results fall and know who we will be playing next week.” 

Leading Firebirds shooter Donnell Wallam (41/54) made seven Super Shots but missed another seven.

An emotional Ravaillion, who played 60 Tests for the Diamonds and was part of two title-winning Firebirds teams, said finishing her career at the club where she made her debut in 2013 meant everything. 

“I can’t believe I’m here - to think early in my career I had setback after setback,” Ravaillion said.

“But to achieve what I have here in Queensland is the best feeling in the world.”

It was the Firebirds' final match of the season, and they will finish either seventh or eighth, depending on other results.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store