Melbourne Vixens have bounced back from their first defeat of the Super Netball season to post a 67-57 victory and put a major dent in the finals hopes of the NSW Swifts.
Sophie Garbin was a force in the Vixens' goal circle, on target with 48 goals from 52 attempts to the delight of the sold-out crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
The Vixens suffered a shock loss to Sunshine Coast last round, although the reigning champions were missing some key players through injury and illness.
While Hannah Mundy remains sidelined with a foot injury, goal keeper Rudi Ellis returned to the starting line-up and Emily Mannix was back to bolster the bench.
The Vixens bounce back to record win number 10 of the season 🦊 pic.twitter.com/fX5B7UxXwT
— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) May 24, 2026
Garbin said the Vixens wanted to make amends for last round's defeat.
"We obviously didn't put out the performance we wanted to last week," Garbin told Fox Sports.
"We know that every week we're going to be coming up against teams that are wanting to make finals, that are going to be coming out extra hard so we're really happy with the performance we put out today.
"There were probably a few patches we weren't happy about but we will work on that in the coming weeks."
Garbin posted four straight goals to get Melbourne out to a 4-0 lead in the Sunday afternoon clash and finished the first quarter with a flawless 12 from 12.
She was ably assisted by fellow Test star Kiera Austin, who nailed a last-gasp two-point super shot for the Vixens to lead 18-12 at quarter time.
Grace Whyte, hailing from Tumut in the NSW Riverina, stood up in the second quarter and delivered some fearless shooting for the Swifts with six goals including three crucial super shots.
The Vixens had the final say to win the term 18-17 and take a 36-29 lead into halftime.
Despite the best efforts of the Swifts, the home team was able to maintain a healthy buffer in the third quarter, still up by eight, 50-42, at the final break.
Aware of Whyte's long-range threat, Melbourne coach Di Honey gave her players instructions going into the fourth quarter to double-team the goal-attack to prevent the Swifts getting the scoreboard ticking over.
Whyte was able to bring her super shot tally to a personal record of seven while New Zealand international Grace Mweke led the Swifts' scoring with 35 from 38 attempts.
Banking four competition points, the Vixens drew level with Adelaide at the top of the Super ladder although they are second on points differential.
The front-runners meet in an enticing battle next Saturday in Adelaide.
Sunday's loss left the Swifts in sixth, eight points off the fourth-placed finals-bound Melbourne Mavericks.
