Vixens coach Simone McKinnis has a simple plan heading into Sunday’s do-or-die semi final against the Adelaide Thunderbirds: “Get more ball”.
The veteran coach, who has already announced her exit from the Vixens at the end of the season, was disappointed her side let a home final slip with their last round loss to the West Coast Fever.
They’ll now face dual reigning premiers the Adelaide Thunderbirds in a winner-takes-all clash to be held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday.
Speaking after her side’s loss to the Fever, McKinnis implored her players to be “brave”.
“We need to get more ball,” she said.
“As a group we’ll have a chat about that. Are we on the same page and doing the same thing?
“I think we’ve just got to be a bit more courageous and brave, and have a go! I want to see them (the defenders) come out of the circle.
“I want to see them come out and have a crack and have a go, mate!
“We’ve just got to get into it and have a go.
“There’s no point continuously just putting pressure out the front. I thought at times we did well holding it up and holding it up, but we’re holding it up so we can have a go at the ball as well.
“Take the risk and have a go for the ball.”
McKinnis turned to her bench for the first time since Round 9 – giving young guns Maggie Caris and Lily Graham their first court minutes since Round 7.
Caris in particular was encouraged to “just commit” as she went up against superstar shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.
The Vixens will have another towering Jamaican in their sights this week in Thunderbird Romelda Aiken-George – a task McKinnis believes Caris can handle.
But it’s staying composed that’s the key for the Vixens.
“For me, you’ve got to take it – take the knocks, take the hits, take it out of your hand and then you’ve got to turn and execute,” she said.
“It’s that competing and hunger in the contest on the ball.
“We’ve got to be able to take it, deliver and execute the next thing. We probably let it get to us a little bit (against the Fever). Got a bit frustrated by it – we can’t do that (against Adelaide).”
The Vixens haven’t beaten the Thunderbirds in their past five encounters – including last year’s grand final defeat.
“If we want to beat them, let’s do it front of their home crowd as well,” McKinnis said.
“The best way to get over the disappointment (of the Fever loss) is bloody find the best that we can put out there next week and have a great game in Adelaide.”
The minor semi final will be played in Adelaide from 2pm AEST on Sunday.
The winner will take on the loser of the West Coast Fever/NSW Swifts major semi final, while it’s season-over for the loser.
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