Super Netball grand final: Melbourne Vixens midcourter Hannah Mundy makes sensational return for decider

Melbourne Vixens midcourter Hannah Mundy will make a sensational return from injury for Saturday night’s Super Netball grand final against West Coast Fever at Rod Laver Arena. Mundy has been sidelined with a stress-related foot injury since round 11 and was forced to watching the VIxens from the sidelines as they defeated the Adelaide Thunderbirds and NSW Swifts in back-to-back elimination finals, earning a place in the decider from fourth position on the ladder. Making way for Mundy is the Vixens’ 11th player Tara Watson, who was elevated to the game day team in round 11 and made her Super Netball debut during last Sunday’s stunning preliminary final, when the Vixens reeled in a 10-goal deficit late in the third quarter. Fever coach Dan Ryan said they had anticipated Mundy’s return. “(We are) prepared for everything, we know what to expect,” he said. “We know what the Vixens look like at their very best as well. And their last quarter performance there against the Swifts was vintage Vixens. “We are expecting that from minute one, and it’s our job to be right on top of that as best we can.” Departing Vixens coach Simone McKinniss said they took a cautious approach with Mundy. “We knew potentially that she would be right for this weekend. We were really cautious, because my number one priority is looking after Hannah, and it’s not just about one game with us, but about her future and longevity as a player,” she said. “So we always knew that was possibility that she would be back in. “She’s been training with us and completed full trainings and this week was probably just the last step for getting through Wednesday and reinforcing that there’s she’s good to go. And it’s exciting.” Ryan lauded goalshooter Janielle Fowler-Nembhard but said the team had other weapons. “To win this competition tomorrow night, every single player needs to pull their weight and do their role, and every role is slightly different,” he said. “And we’ve got a team of 10 that we have great confidence to turn to at any point in time, and knowing that if we need to make adjustments across the course of the game, we’ve got ways to shift the game plan or playing style. “Janielle is obviously a focal point for us, and she’s always a focal point in opposition game plans as well, but we really back in every position on the court to bring out the best in each other and support each other on that court. And tomorrow’s the night of all nights to make sure every player is doing their role for the team.”