Mannix keen to repay the faith
RECONTRACTED Melbourne Vixen Emily Mannix says uncertainty on her playing future “played on her mind” as she looks to put a torrid season behind her.
Mannix is recovering from knuckle surgery a fortnight ago, which comes after she missed most of the pre-season because of a hip procedure.
The Drysdale junior played 11 games this season but was down on her usual output as the Vixens slid from premiers to the wooden spoon.
The Vixens announced on Thursday Mannix had put pen to paper for next year.
She said it had been a difficult year not knowing what her fate in 2022 would be.
“It’s something that always plays on your mind,” Mannix said. “If I’m to be completely honest, obviously this year has been a hard one for me in terms of personal performance.
“Obviously team performance was not where we wanted to be, or nowhere near where we wanted to be.
“Obviously my own personal performance wasn’t up to where I wanted to be and where I know I can play.
“It (contract) is always something that crosses your mind but I always believed and hoped that Vixens would want me again.
“I still feel like, with this year, I stayed true to who I was and hopefully my leadership has shown through a little bit this year with everything going on.”
The championship-winning defender said she took confidence from the faith coach Simone McKinnis had shown in her.
“Being told you’re a really valued member of the team … it wasn’t my best year but they still saw those signs of me performing well, but also that leadership and being there for my teammates and the people around me,” she said.
“Those earlier conversations make you feel good going forward and they still have that belief.
“After a rocky year, you can doubt yourself and your ability a little bit but having Simone reiterate that to me that she still sees my best netball performances ahead and she’ll do everything she can to get me back there. That’s really exciting for me and makes you feel good about yourself.”
Mannix is expected to recover from the ligament surgery in time for the pre-season.
IT (CONTRACT) IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT CROSSES YOUR MIND BUT I ALWAYS BELIEVED AND HOPED THAT VIXENS WOULD WANT ME AGAIN.”