Melbourne Vixens beat West Coast Fever 45-43 tosweep Super Netball preseason tournament

The Melbourne Vixens have set themselves for a return from the cellar to the top of the Super Netball ladder after winning the preseason tournament with a thrilling 45-43 victory over West Coast Fever.

The Vixens, who won the Super Netball championship in 2020, managed just two wins all season last year as they finished bottom on the ladder.

Diamonds captain Liz Watson was sidelined with a foot injury last year but returned to the Vixens line-up with a bang as her team went through the four-game preseason tournament without a loss.

The Fever had also won each of their three round-robin games to advance to the final at Melbourne's Parkville Stadium on Sunday.

Playing in front of home fans, the Vixens led from start to finish.

They got out to a 16-14 lead by the end of the first quarter and extended that to 28-21 by half-time.

The seven-point buffer was maintained through the third quarter, giving the Vixens some breathing space into the final period.

Missing regular goal shooter Mwai Kumwenda and new recruit Kiera Austin, the Vixens relied on Rahni Samason and Ruby Barkmeyer.

Samason finished with 25 goals from 28 attempts, including five super shots, while Barkmeyer chimed in with 10 goals from as many attempts.

Jhaniele Fowler was the top scorer for the Fever with 30 goals from 31 attempts.

Experienced Vixens centre Kate Maloney, who is co-captain with Watson, was named player of the match.

AAP