Indigenous stars Donnell Wallam and Leesa Mi Mi have inspired the Queensland Firebirds to a rousing 76-71 triumph over the Melbourne Vixens in a fitting finish to week two of Super Netball’s First Nations Round.
Sharpshooter Wallam was lethal in attack at Nissan Arena on Sunday, burying 59 goals plus six super shots from eight attempts, while Mi Mi starred in the centre In just her second start, impressively shading national captain Liz Watson.
It will be a tall order now for the Vixens, following their second successive defeat, to leap into the top two after the Firebirds, with back-to-back victories under their belt, played the role of spoiler to perfection.
“We said we wanted to get back-to-back wins this year and that’s what we just did,” Wallam said.
“To do that in front of our home crowd, in First Nations Round, and to take the last shot like that, it was pretty special for me.
“We’re really focused on finishing on a high and keep building with these wins.”
In a match of momentum swings, the fourth-ranked Vixens held the early upper hand, fashioning a 21-19 quarter-time lead with Hannah Mundy supreme.
The Firebirds turned the tables in the second stanza and pinched the lead, piloted by Wallam, who was giving Vixens defender Olivia Lewis some headaches.
Melbourne shooter Kiera Austin’s two-pointer on the halftime whistle trimmed Queensland’s lead to three goals and she continued to fire in the third as the visitors recaptured the impetus.
Vixens coach Simone McKinnis brought on Emily Mannix, in her 100th game, to relieve Lewis of Wallam duties, but the Firebirds spearhead couldn’t be stopped.
Down by one at three-quarter-time, Queensland finished powerfully.
With her mother and nephews in the stands, Wallam produced a flurry of goals down the stretch, including a stunning two-pointer on the fulltime whistle which she followed with a huge celebration.
Australian Associated Press