All the Shooting Statistics That Mattered from the Vixens’ 2025 Championship Campaign, Thanks to Champion Data…
The Melbourne Vixens’ 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season will long be remembered as one of grit, consistency, and championship glory. But behind every memorable win lies a set of numbers that tell the deeper story. Thanks to Champion Data, we can break down the shooting statistics that truly defined the Vixens’ path to lifting the trophy this year.
The Accuracy That Made the Difference
At the heart of the Vixens’ campaign was their ability to finish plays with ruthless precision. The team finished the season with an overall shooting accuracy of 90.4%, the highest in the competition. In a league where accuracy hovers around the mid-80s, this elite conversion rate was pivotal in tight contests.
Mwai Kumwenda, the Malawian shooting powerhouse, was again the spearhead of the attack. She converted 678 goals from 739 attempts at 91.7%, proving why she remains one of the most reliable shooters in the league. Whether it was holding strong against physical defenders or calmly sinking pressure shots in the dying minutes, Kumwenda set the standard.
The Rise of Sophie Garbin
While Kumwenda commanded attention, Sophie Garbin emerged as the Vixens’ x-factor. Champion Data revealed she averaged 1.8 super shots per game during the regular season, finishing with a total of 54 two-pointers at 43% accuracy. In a season where momentum swings often came down to the power play, Garbin’s willingness to shoot from range gave the Vixens a weapon few teams could counter.
Her standout performance came in Round 11 against the West Coast Fever, where she nailed four super shots in the final quarter to snatch a two-goal win. Without those bold attempts, the Vixens may never have secured the double chance in the finals.
Consistency Under Pressure
One of the most telling statistics was the Vixens’ shooting output in the final five minutes of matches. Champion Data tracked that the team shot at 95% accuracy in clutch moments across the season, converting 162 of 170 attempts. This level of composure under pressure was unmatched by any rival and was especially evident in the grand final.
In the championship decider against the NSW Swifts, Kumwenda and Garbin combined for a flawless 23/23 in the final quarter. The Swifts tried everything defensively, but the Vixens’ shooters were simply unshakable.
Sharing the Load
The Vixens’ shooting end was not a one-woman show. Kiera Austin, operating largely at goal attack, chipped in with 301 goals at 88% accuracy. Her ability to draw defenders and create space was just as valuable as her shooting. Austin also ranked second in the competition for goal assists (averaging 19 per game), underlining how she linked the mid-court to the circle with vision and precision.
The balance between Kumwenda’s holding play, Garbin’s long-range flair, and Austin’s creativity created a multi-dimensional shooting attack. Opponents couldn’t simply double-team one player, making the Vixens incredibly difficult to contain.
Champion Data’s Key Insights
Breaking down the shooting numbers further, Champion Data highlighted several decisive patterns:
- Fast Starts: The Vixens converted their first three shooting attempts in 21 of their 24 matches, setting the tone early and rarely playing from behind.
- Third-Quarter Dominance: They posted their best shooting numbers in third quarters, hitting 92% accuracy and outscoring opponents by an average of six goals.
- Offensive Rebounds: Kumwenda secured 68 offensive rebounds, turning missed shots into second-chance goals. The Vixens led the league in scoring from rebounds, capitalising on nearly 70% of those opportunities.
- Super Shot Efficiency: While not the most frequent users of the two-point arc, their 40% team conversion rate was the best in the competition.
Grand Final Numbers
The Vixens’ grand final triumph over the Swifts was a statistical masterclass. The shooting circle delivered:
- Kumwenda: 47/50 (94%)
- Garbin: 12/13 (92%) including two super shots
- Austin: 8/9 (89%)
That combined total of 67/72 equated to a remarkable 93% accuracy on the biggest stage of all. The Swifts, by comparison, shot at 86%—a solid number, but not enough to match the Vixens’ unrelenting standard.
Why It Matters
Numbers only tell part of the story, but for the 2025 champions, they reveal a team that shot smarter, steadier, and stronger than anyone else. Their ability to share the load, strike from range, and maintain ice-cold composure in the clutch wasn’t luck—it was preparation, discipline, and execution.
The statistics also underscore how modern netball is as much about data-driven insights as it is about instinctive play. Champion Data’s tracking highlighted trends that proved decisive, and for the Vixens, those numbers aligned perfectly with their championship journey.
Final Word
The Vixens’ 2025 title run will be remembered for moments of brilliance, but the shooting statistics show it was consistency, accuracy, and balance that carried them to glory. In a sport where one miss can decide a season, the Vixens simply refused to falter. With the championship trophy secured, their numbers stand as proof: in 2025, no one shot it better than the Melbourne Vixens.
Would you like me to also create an infographic-style breakdown of these key stats (accuracy, super shots, clutch shooting, grand final numbers) so it reads more like a sports data feature?
