The Sunshine Coast Lightning handed the Melbourne Vixens their first defeat of the 2026 season, with the Lightning applying relentless pressure across four quarters.

The result marked a turnaround from the sides’ Round 4 Easter Sunday clash, when the Vixens produced a hard-fought 70–59 win over the Lightning at home.

There was still a memorable moment for the Vixens, with Ally O’Connor becoming Vixen #68 and Ruby Pekin-Schlicht Vixen #69 after both made their debuts in the second quarter.

Every player was called on court with Maggie Caris making her first Suncorp Super Netball appearance of the 2026 season and Lily Graham also seeing increased court time slotting 5 out of 9 supershots.

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Firebirds will be wearing the club's first Pride Dress in the Suncorp Super Netball fixture.

Having played in the inaugural SSN Pride Match against Collingwood in 2021, the Firebirds have been part of a Pride Match every season since.

Netball Queensland holds Gold Tier status on the Pride In Sport Index with Saturday's game to be themed around netball being a sport and space for all.
 
 England international Allison is a Netball Queensland LGBTQ+ Elite Athlete Champion and was speaking in front of the Pride Colour step artwork about the dress and importance of visibility of Pride in sport.

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The Mavs will be searching for their first-ever win over the Thunderbirds, but coming off three consecutive wins for the first time in the club’s history, Parmenter is buoyant about the confidence this momentum will give them. 

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Dan Ryan spoke ahead of West Coast Fevers record breaking clash against the NSW Swifts at RAC Arena this weekend

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Both teams are coming off close games in Melbourne last week, with the Mavs turning the tables on the NSW Swifts, to come out two-point victors.  Meanwhile, the Giants were unlucky to go down to the ladder-leading Melbourne Vixens also falling short by two points.

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Wills and her team are heading to Melbourne this weekend to face the undefeated Vixens at John Cain Arena on Sunday in Round 9 of Suncorp Super Netball.

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West Coast Fever Head Coach Dan Ryan ahead of this week's Friday Night Netty clash with the Adelaide Thunderbirds at RAC Arena.

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Queensland Firebirds captain RUBY BAKEWELL-DORAN speaking after training at Nissan Arena 

Bakewell-Doran spoke about lessons from last weekend's loss to Adelaide, taking on the league-leading Melbourne Vixens this Sunday, her partnership with Kelly Jackson and the team's hopes for a more stable second-half of the season after an injury-riddled first part to the campaign. 

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West Coast Fever's Head Coach Dan Ryan and Jordan Cransberg spoke after their R8 game over Lightning

Fever secured a four-goal win over the Lightning on the Sunshine Coast.  They now host Friday Night Netty against the Adelaide Thunderbirds at RAC Arena on Friday Night. Centre Pass is at 6pm WST.

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