The Melbourne Vixens may have reeled off two impressive wins to open the 2019 Super Netball season but coach Simone McKinnis feels they have plenty of room for improvement.
After conceding eight of the first nine goals in their opening-round clash with the Queensland Firebirds, McKinnis placed emphasis on her squad applying full-court pressure in order to build an early advantage in Sunday's clash with Giants Netball.
Things didn't go exactly to plan with the Giants scoring the first three goals at Melbourne Arena but once the Vixens worked their way into the game, their defence thwarted the visitors all over the court.
While McKinnis felt her side still lacked cohesion at certain times, their commitment to working hard could not be faulted.
"It was fantastic, the result ... winning four quarters, but I still think there was elements where it was quite scrappy," McKinnis said following the Vixens 61-45 win.
In her seventh year at the helm of the Vixens, McKinnis listed skills in transition and ability to convert gain ball into scores as areas in need of improvement.
"I might sound harsh but there is a fair bit that I'd want to be tidying up on, just some of those hands and footwork and that sort of thing," she said.
"So I think there is lots to work on but I can't question what I thought was great work ethic and work rate right across the game."
In what was Giants midcourter Kimberlee Green's 200th national league game, McKinnis felt it was fitting for experienced defender Renae Ingles to be matched up on her.
The pair have faced off regularly at national league level but also experienced international success as Diamonds teammates, including Commonwealth Games gold and World Championship victory.
"Before the game, I said to Renae that it was a fantastic opportunity to be able to play on her in her 200th and Renae was like 'yeah, I would have played in quite a few of those 200 games over her career.' ," McKinnis said.
While it was an unhappy milestone for Green, who missed part of the second quarter after receiving a heavy bump to the ribs, McKinnis took time to acknowledge her contribution to the sport.
"It's an incredible achievement for Kim and the way she goes about her business, it's great to see," McKinnis said.
"You love to be part of a game like that and seeing an athlete like that out there doing what they do."
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