Motherhood brings new meaning to Mannix’s grand final return

TWELVE months ago, Emily Mannix could only watch as the Melbourne Vixens lifted the Super Netball trophy.

This weekend, the Geelong-based defender will be back where she belongs: on court, with two-year-old daughter Mabel there to share the Vixens’ third straight grand final appearance.

The Vixens booked their place in Saturday night’s decider by ending a four-game losing streak with an 11-goal preliminary final win over West Coast Fever.

While Mannix was part of last year’s premiership campaign off the court, she spent the season on the inactive list. She said watching from the sidelines left her feeling detached from the team’s success.

This time, Mannix will have the chance to contribute as the Vixens chase back-to-back premierships against Adelaide Thunderbirds.

“Through the ups and downs of the season, to still be able to get through it and to make another grand final, it’s just incredible,” she said.

Mannix believes the Vixens have developed a knack for producing their best netball when the stakes are highest.

“We can just turn it on when it really matters,” she said.

“When it’s do or die in a prelim, it’s sometimes even harder than grand finals to win because of the pressure. And it all clicked together on the weekend.”

She expects Adelaide to demand an even greater lift on Saturday night.

“[The Thunderbirds are] another step up for us in terms of their ability to win ball, their patience in attack and their smarts,” Mannix said. “They’re packed full of international stars and Aussie stars.

“We’ve got to lift the intensity again.

“If we play similar to how we played against the Fever, we’ve got a red-hot crack, but that has to start from starting whistle. We’ve got to bring that intensity and take them out of the game early.”

Away from the court, Mannix said becoming a mother to Mabel had transformed the way she handled the highs and lows of elite sport.

 

“This year, when I’ve maybe not performed as well or we’ve had losses, you come home, she’s smiling and you just spend time with her and forget about all that,” she said.

“It’s nice because I’ve always been one that dwells on losses and personal performance. There’s no time for that anymore.

“It’s a balance that you don’t always get right, but I feel like I’ve had a good crack at it and just enjoyed netball and being a mum this year, and hopefully [Mabel] can lift up the trophy again this season as well.”

Returning to the grand final with Mabel by her side has also given Mannix a fresh appreciation for moments that once passed in a blur.

“In previous years, I probably wouldn’t have reflected on [the grand final] until later,” she said.

“I feel like now that I’ve had a year off, I’ve got Mabel, I’m trying to reflect on it a little bit more in the moment and how special it is.”

The Vixens’ grand final showdown with the Thunderbirds begins at 7.30pm on Saturday at John Cain Arena.