All the Shooting Statistics That Mattered from the Vixens’ 2025 Championship Campaign, Thanks to Champion Data…
When the Melbourne Vixens stormed their way to the 2025 championship, it wasn’t just their resilience and composure that stood out—it was the numbers. Shooting accuracy, volume under pressure, and clutch moments inside the circle all became the foundation of a campaign that ended with the trophy back in Victorian hands. Thanks to detailed tracking from Champion Data, we can now break down the shooting statistics that mattered most in the Vixens’ triumphant season.
Kiera Austin’s Breakout Finals Series
Kiera Austin entered the season with high expectations, and she delivered. Across the finals series, Austin averaged 26.5 goals per game at 90% accuracy, a sharp rise from her 84% regular-season mark. What stood out was her consistency: in the grand final, she nailed her first nine attempts, calming nerves and setting the tone early for the Vixens.
Beyond raw accuracy, Austin also took 41% of the team’s total attempts in the finals, highlighting her role as the go-to shooter when it mattered most. Champion Data confirmed she recorded the highest shooting efficiency in the league under finals pressure, edging out rival sharpshooters with her calm presence.
Mwai Kumwenda’s Reliability
Mwai Kumwenda once again showcased why she’s regarded as one of the most reliable goal shooters in Super Netball. Over the full season, she converted 548 goals from 605 attempts, finishing with an impressive 90.6% accuracy. Her ability to absorb physical contests in the circle gave the Vixens a platform to launch attacks with confidence.
In close games, Kumwenda was particularly lethal. In matches decided by fewer than five goals, she recorded 93% shooting accuracy, the best clutch mark of any starting shooter in the league. This combination of durability and efficiency was a cornerstone of the Vixens’ campaign.
Long-Range Threats Change the Game
The introduction of the two-point Super Shot zone continued to shape strategies in 2025, and the Vixens mastered its timing. Austin and Sophie Garbin combined for 89 Super Shot conversions across the season, more than any other duo in the competition.
Austin, in particular, became known for her late-quarter heroics. Champion Data revealed that she scored 62% of her Super Shots in the final two minutes of quarters, often swinging momentum or extending leads just before breaks. The Vixens’ tactical use of the Super Shot gave them a +58 scoring differential in two-point periods, the highest margin of any side.
Depth and Flexibility in the Circle
One of the understated keys to the Vixens’ title run was the shooting depth beyond their stars. Sophie Garbin, often rotated in during high-pressure stretches, shot 81% from the field, including 21 Super Shot goals. Her ability to stretch defenses opened space for Kumwenda under the post and gave coach Simone McKinnis tactical flexibility.
Meanwhile, training partner Ruby Barkmeyer chipped in during rotations, shooting 76% across her appearances. While not headline-grabbing, those minutes proved vital in resting starters and maintaining rhythm in tight fixtures.
The Numbers Behind Their Grand Final Triumph
The 2025 grand final victory over the NSW Swifts will be remembered for its poise, and the numbers tell the story. The Vixens finished with 94% shooting accuracy as a team (61/65)—the highest accuracy ever recorded in a Super Netball grand final.
Kumwenda’s 35/36 was near flawless, while Austin added 24/26, including three Super Shots in the final quarter that killed off the Swifts’ comeback hopes. Champion Data noted that the Vixens outscored the Swifts 11–4 in Super Shot periods, effectively sealing the contest.
League-Leading Shooting Profile
Across the 2025 season, the Vixens ranked:
- 1st in overall shooting accuracy (91%)
- 1st in Super Shot accuracy (44%)
- 2nd in total goals scored (1,214)
- 1st in goals scored during “clutch time” (last 5 minutes of quarters)
These figures reflect not just talent but execution under pressure, a hallmark of championship-winning teams.
What the Data Shows Us
Champion Data’s analysis reinforces the Vixens’ formula: build around Kumwenda’s strength at the post, unleash Austin’s accuracy from mid-range and beyond, and rotate shooters strategically to maximize efficiency. The Vixens didn’t just outplay opponents—they outshot them in every sense.
In a season where defensive structures were tighter and margins thinner than ever, it was the Vixens’ precision with the ball in hand that made the ultimate difference. Every statistic points to a team that trusted its shooters, and in turn, those shooters delivered history.
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Would you like me to also create a stat table graphic (with goals, accuracy %, and Super Shots) summarizing the Vixens’ shooting numbers for quick reference?
