Collingwood have finally got some joy from their time in Sydney, while Melbourne Vixens' coach Simone McKinnis described her team's effort as unacceptable, after a 67-51 Super Netball loss to their local rivals.
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The Magpies snapped their two-match losing run, while the Vixens crashed to a sixth loss in seven games.
Collingwood, who were playing a third straight game at Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena because of the pandemic situation in Melbourne, overcame a sluggish start in the Victorian derby on Saturday.
The game was part of a double-header at the venue after the earlier Giants-Lightning clash.
Vixens, who were striving for just their second win of the season, were 11-5 up but successive super shots to Collingwood goal attack Gabrielle Sinclair helped the Magpies fight back to 15-15 at quarter-time.
The Magpies never subsequently trailed and led by six and 11 at half and three-quarter time respectively.
"Vixens jumped us early but to the credit of the girls they found a way in the end and got the result we were looking for," Collingwood coach Nicole Richardson said.
"Gabi made two shots at the end (of the first quarter) otherwise we would've been in a bit of trouble going into that second quarter, that was a bit of changing point there.
"We changed up our structure and we changed up our game.
"Its always tough to be away from home, but we've been very well supported by the Sydney people and also Netball NSW have been very supportive."
McKinnis couldn't find any positives after her team slumped to their largest defeat of the season.
"We certainly didn't respond to a challenge," McKinnis said.
"It's the fight. The Vixens don't let leads blow out to 10, 15, 20 goals. It's not acceptable.
"There's something about the mindset there that really has to change for us."
For Collingwood, shooter Shimona Nelson bagged 55 points from 63 attempts, Geva Mentor and Jodi-Ann Ward each pulled off three intercepts and Sinclair had 25 goal assists.
Mwai Kumwenda shot 28 from 32 for Vixens.
Vixens suffered a blow before the game when it was announced their Diamonds' defender Emily Mannix had withdrawn following ongoing soreness in her right hand.
Mannix had missed the past two games with a fractured knuckle.
Australian Associated Press
