Diamonds shooter Kiera Austin has buried a clutch goal in the dying seconds to deliver the Melbourne Vixens a heart-stopping 54-53 Super Netball victory over the Adelaide Thunderbirds at John Cain Arena.
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After namesake Lucy Austin tied it for the Thunderbirds with just under a minute left in Saturday night's thriller, the Vixens successfully played keepaway, getting the ball through a succession of hands, before landing the killer blow when Kiera Austin converted a pass from Zara Walters with four seconds remaining.
Seeking a miracle, the Thunderbirds catapulted the next centre pass forward but Lucy Austin could only muster an off-balance, off-line two-point attempt.
Melbourne captain Kate Moloney continued her terrific start to the season with another starring display in the centre as the Vixens, who haven't lost at home to the Thunderbirds since 2010, moved top of the table.
"It's massive for us," Moloney said.
"We've worked on that kind of stuff a lot, playing it around at the end.
"We just had to stay in it. I'm really proud of the girls."
Adelaide's defeat came despite conjuring more gains (21-10) and receiving another sterling performance from gun defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey.
The Jamaican goal keeper was superb from the outset but the Thunderbirds' shooters took a while to find their range as Melbourne led 14-11 at the end of a scrappy opening quarter.
Sterling-Humphrey began the second period with a spectacular, leaping intercept which finished in a goal to Romelda Aiken-George.
The turnovers continued to mount for the Vixens as the Thunderbirds went on a 6-0 burst to lead by four, Georgie Horjus wreaking havoc after being switched to goal attack.
Diamonds defender Jo Weston received a rousing reception when she substituted in for her first on-court action of the season and the veteran Vixen responded by applying the clamps on Horjus and helping the hosts finish the half with a 6-0 run of their own to reclaim the lead, 27-25 at the long break.
Sterling-Humphrey continued her sizzling defence in the third quarter as the reigning premiers fashioned a four-point break before the Vixens hit back again, Kiera Austin's super shot with one second left in the term knotting the scores at 40-all.
The Vixens goal attack combined shooting prowess with three deflections and a crucial intercept to steal the show in the fourth quarter.
Australian Associated Press
