The Firebirds dominated the first three quarters of their state-vs-state clash with the Swifts but a fourth quarter fightback from the visitors forced the game into extra time and Bec Bulley's team went down by four-points.
The Vixens meanwhile are three from three this year after a giving struggling GIANTS Netball a touch-up last weekend and will be a big challenge for the Firebirds in Melbourne.
LAST TIME WE MET
A sensational shooting display from Donnell Wallam fired the Firebirds to a 76-71 First Nations Round triumph over the Vixens at a sold-out Nissan Arena in a thrilling Round 12 clash last year.
The Noongar woman's 71-point haul was the most by an individual in a single SSN game, eclipsing Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard's 2020 mark, as Wallam nailed six Suncorp Super Shots in a dominant performance.
Defensive duo Bakewell-Doran and Remi Kamo were also hugely impressive, combining for 10 gains, 16 deflections and four rebounds, in one of the performances of the season for the Firebirds.
TEAM NEWS
Firebirds coach Bec Bulley has named an unchanged matchday squad for the trip to Victoria, with captain Kim Ravaillion pushing hard to get into the starting seven after coming off the bench late against the Swifts for her second appearance of the season. Expect attacking combination Tippah Dwan and Wallam to again start while Bakewell-Doran and Kamo are unshakeable at the back.
The departure of Australian Diamonds captain Liz Watson in the off-season and Mwai Kumwenda's maternity leave hasn't upset the Vixens too much with Hannah Mundy returning to the court last week against the Giants after Zara Walters' slotted in impressively in her absence. The addition of Sophie Garbin alongside fellow international Kiera Austin makes for a potent attacking line.
KEY MATCHUP – Macy Gardner v Kate Moloney
Moloney has taken the Vixens midcourt leadership mantle in the wake of Watson's departure to the Sunshine Coast and appears to be revelling in the increased responsibility. The Diamonds international has played every minute of the Vixens' three games so far and is averaging over 10 goal assists and 27 feeds per match so far this year.
Gardner meanwhile has been building nicely into the season, starting all three matches and picking up where she left off last year before a broken wrist suffered in the Firebirds' trip to face the Vixens in Melbourne last year curtailed her campaign.
With Lara Dunkley and Hulita Veve firing either side of her in the past two matches, the Firebirds' mid-court combination will again need to stand up if they are to get a result on the road against the high-flying Vixens.
KEY STAT
Both of these teams have landed 19 Suncorp Super Shots in their first three matches but the Firebirds combination of Wallam and Tippah Dwan is sharing the load with 10 and nine two-pointers each so far this season. Austin has hit 14 of 23 Suncorp Super Shots but Garbin has just five successful shots from 11 attempts.
LAST WORD
"Always look forward to coming up against these two teams, they're both stellar, but I also think that we've got a real chance to put it to them," - Queensland Firebirds defender Remi Kamo.
HOW TO WATCH
Watch Sumday’s game live and on demand on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. International viewers can catch the entire 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season live and on demand via Netball Pass.
