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After falling short at the final hurdle of last year’s Championship season, the Melbourne Vixens are stepping it up in 2013.
The Melbourne Vixens during the 2013 Summer Challenge last month. Image: Maddi Vantarakis
They may have finished top last year, but the Melbourne Vixens fell short to the Waikato B.O.P. Magic by three goals during the 2012 Grand Final.
A rejuvenated Melbourne side will look to ensure that history does not repeat itself.
New coach Simone McKinnis, re-appointed captain Bianca Chatfield and vice-captain Madison Browne will no doubt lead the team in the right direction for 2013.
Arguably the most exciting news for the Vixens was the comeback of former captain and Australian Diamond Sharelle McMahon during the off-season.
McMahon made her return last month against the NSW Swifts, before playing a valuable part in the Vixens undefeated finish to the 2013 Summer Challenge.
Her addition to the side has been a major talking point thus far, and will definitely have a large impact upon the Vixens season this year.
Other recruits for the Vixens come in the form of former Queensland Firebirds Shannon Eagland, Elisa Macleod and Amy Steel- plus young-gun Kate Moloney.
Former West Coast Fever captain Johannah Curran returns home to Victoria this year, boosting the Melbourne Vixen defence.
Curran is an excellent replacement for the loss of Australia Diamond Julie Corletto, who has made the big move to play with the LG Mystics in New Zealand this year.
Melbourne’s pre-season has been one filled with highs- especially their undefeated status during the Summer Challenge.
The practice tournament saw the Vixens defeat the Mystics, Easiyo Tactix, Adelaide Thunderbirds and West Coast Fever- it seems there is only more to come from the Victorian side in 2013.
Corletto and McMahon will face off again- this time during the home and away season- when the Vixens taken on the Mystics in Round 1 of the ANZ Championship on March 25.
2013 Vixens Squad:
Sharelle McMahon, Bianca Chatfield, Geva Mentor, Madison Browne, Tegan Caldwell, Amy Steel, Elissa Macleod, Johannah Curran, Kate Moloney, Shannon Eagland, Karyn Howarth, Erin Hoare
Maddi Vantarakis 