Kate Moloney says the Melbourne Vixens' dire Super Netball loss boils down to a lack of 'fight' and 'hunger' against the all-conquering Adelaide Thunderbirds.
The Vixens' bid to claim back-to-back premierships for the first time in club history ended in heartbreak, with Di Honey's side pummelled 61-40 by the Thunderbirds at John Cain Arena.
After an evenly matched opening quarter, Adelaide outmuscled the Vixens with ease after firing off 21 goals to eight in the second term.
Powered by star Jamaican defensive duo Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson, Adelaide made 24 gains to eight, while constricting the Vixens' centre-pass goal rate to 45 per cent.
At the other end, South African shooter Elmere van der Berg scored 51 goals from 52 attempts.
The Vixens suffered the largest Super Netball defeat, surpassing the 17-goal benchmark set by the Lightning (2017) and the Swifts (2019).
"The second quarter killed us," Vixens captain Moloney said.
"We didn't have enough fight and enough hunger to go and get the ball back.
"That's what hurts so much. The second quarter is what really hurt us, but at half-time you're still in the contest.
"You're still 12 goals. It's still doable.
"We've got to have a look because I think they really adapted to the way we were playing, and we didn't have the fight and the hunger to keep going."
Midcourter Moloney was the shining light for the Vixens, leading her side with 17 feeds and nine goal assists.
Fellow Diamonds team-mates Kiera Austin (15 goals from 20 attempts) and Sophie Garbin (16/18) struggled in attack, while Rudi Ellis gave away 22 penalties trying to nullify van der Berg.
Reaching the grand final in her first season as coach, Di Honey was just as scathing in her assessment.
"For me, along with Kate, I'm really disappointed about it," Honey said.
"She (Moloney) always gives 110 per cent as captain, and I think she's probably one of the few that can hold her head high today."
Moloney dismissed suggestions the Vixens lacked quality in personnel against Adelaide's seemingly invincible defence led by Sterling-Humphrey.
"I don't necessarily know if a holding shooter is the answer against Shamera," Moloney said.
"I back our shooters every day of the week when they play their best netball. We just didn't bring it.
"Not one player could stand there and say they beat their opponent today.
"I don't think you can look at that and go that's why we lost.
"I think it takes seven or ten who got out there on court to go out there and beat their opponent, and we didn't do that."
The Vixens have now lost two of their past three consecutive grand final appearances, having previously suffered defeat to the Thunderbirds in 2024.
