Melbourne Vixens coach Di Honey believes her side can beat anyone at its best as the club chases a historic Super Netball grand final victory over Adelaide.
Set to play their third consecutive grand final, the Vixens have never won back-to-back Super titles, with the Thunderbirds downing the NSW Swifts in 2023 and then the Vixens a year later, the only side to do so.
The Melbourne heavyweights earned the chance with a sweeping 11-goal win over West Coast Fever in the preliminary final on Saturday night, getting a fast start and never headed for the match.
They again proved themselves big-game players, with Fever coach Dan Ryan calling the Vixens a "hardened team".
They played with pace and accuracy, with star goal attack Kiera Austin on song in the circle, while they also bullied the Perth outfit in the one-on-contests.
Melbourne and Adelaide will square off next Saturday night at John Cain Arena, with the Vixens holding home court advantage after Netball Australia sold the rights for the decider.
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The match can't be played next door at the larger capacity Rod Laver Arena, where the Vixens edged West Coast in the 2025 grand final, with the venue booked by Disney on Ice.
In her first year as head coach, Honey steered her team to nine straight wins to open the season but they then suffered a form slump, losing four straight before the prelim final.
That included a heavy 13-goal loss to the Thunderbirds in the major semi-final.
Adelaide will start favourites in the decider, having only dropped one game all season - which was to the Vixens at John Cain Arena back in round six.
Honey said if her team played at their best they could win successive Super crowns.
"Most certainly, we can beat anyone at our best," said Honey, who was a long-time assistant under Simone McKinnis before taking over the top job this year.
"We'll go back and have a really good look and do our homework and, tweak a few things and, and come out firing for next week."
A disappointed Ryan, whose team trounced the Vixens in round 14 in the midst of their slump, picked Adelaide as the team to beat.
But after facing the Vixens in front of their home fans in last year's grand final, where the Fever suffered a one-point loss, he said they were a big danger.
"The Thunderbirds are in the driving seat, I think they have been the benchmark team all season, but that was us last year as well," Ryan said.
"Beware of the Melbourne Vixens on their own home court with a passionate home crowd, that's going to help them a lot.
"I think the Thunderbirds will be the team to beat, but you wouldn't underestimate the Vixens - they know how to turn up for a big game.£
