Coach Simon McKinnis says there was no secret formula as her Melbourne Vixens turned the tables on Collingwood Magpies with an emphatic 62-49 win to advance to the Super Netball preliminary final.
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Having lost both regular season fixtures to their cross-city rivals, including an 11-goal defeat a week ago, the Vixens had all the answers in Sunday's minor semi-final at the State Netball Hockey Centre.
"There was no magic to it. We just had to really lift our defensive pressure all over the court and just get that movement and read it well in attack," said McKinnis.
"It's just hitting that court with fight and purpose and intensity. I thought we did that really well."
The Magpies went into Sunday's do-or-die clash riding high on a three-game winning streak but any chance of a first-ever finals victory was erased as the Vixens grabbed the early momentum courtesy of a 20-9 opening quarter.
From there, the Vixens were never headed as they cruised to victory in the first meeting in a final between the two Melbourne clubs, breaking their own three-game losing sequence to advance to the grand-final qualifier.
"You can't give a team like the Vixens a lead like that at quarter-time and then expect to be chasing the whole time and find some momentum," Magpies caretaker co-coach Nicole Richardson said.
"We weren't able to get the momentum back off them at any point during the game."
The Vixens will play the NSW Swifts at Sydney's Quaycentre next Sunday with the winner to face two-time and defending champions Sunshine Coast Lightning in the grand final.
Caitlin Thwaites (29/33) and Tegan Philip (29/36) powered the Vixens attack, making the most of the extra opportunities stemming from 30 Magpies' turnovers.
Shimona Nelson (42/46) was on target for Collingwood but it was not enough with 19 general play turnovers coming from the Magpies' attacking end.
Collingwood's attack was found wanting in the first quarter with the Vixens forcing nine turnovers, eight of those resulting in goals, on their way to their 20-9 start.
The Magpies were more composed in the second stanza but failed to capitalise as the Vixens reeled off the last five goals of the half to build a 34-19 edge at the main break.
Australian Associated Press
