Vixens keeper back for critical game in finals push

MELBOURNE defender Emily Mannix will make her return from injury tonight as the Vixens look to shore up a Super Netball finals spot.

The Vixens meet ladderleader West Coast Fever in Perth in a crucial clash, with their finals hopes in the balance as they sit one point inside the top-four going into the final two rounds.

Geelong product Mannix said she was thrilled to be back for the bumper match, having missed the past four games with a finger injury.

“It’s been super tough to be out of the group for that amount of time,” the goal keeper said. “It’s coming up to five weeks this weekend, so I’m super excited to get the go-ahead and all clear to come away to Perth this weekend and I think it’s a good time to come back. “It’s a pretty big match.” The Vixens ended a fivegame winning streak with a 60-58 loss to Giants at Hisense Arena last Sunday, Mannix saying the group was determined to bounce back from that defeat against a Fever side they upset 74-60 in Round 7 to start that winning run.

“The girls and the coaching staff were quite disappointed after the Giants game because we do expect so much of ourselves and we know that we can do it and have the belief as well,” she said.

“So it was obviously not the result we wanted last weekend but super excited to get away to Perth and I think we’ll give them a real run for their money and hopefully get the win.”

Tonight’s match also marks the 100th in charge for coach Simone McKinnis, who Mannix said had been an “integral part” in her career.

“She’s been fantastic for me and obviously that defence component of her game has really helped me and I’ve really grown as a player because of her,” she said.

Collingwood Magpies meet Giants in their final home game of the season at Hisense Arena tomorrow.