The sledge that helped lighten Diamonds camp after brutal grand final

Just two weeks after suffering a record 21-goal defeat in the Super Netball grand final, Melbourne Vixens captain Kate Moloney is already focused on international duty with the Australian Diamonds at the Commonwealth Games. The swift transition has prevented her from dwelling on the "nightmare" loss.

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Coming straight into camp with the short turnaround hasn't allowed me to dwell on it for too long, and the Commonwealth Games only comes around every four years, so it's not hard to find the motivation to go again.

Moloney, along with teammates Jo Weston, Sophie Garbin, and Kiera Austin, are currently in camp with the Diamonds preparing for the Games. Meanwhile, other Vixens players are on holiday, each finding their own methods to process the significant grand final loss. The quick turnaround for the Commonwealth Games, held only every four years, provides a strong motivation to refocus.

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Georgie Horjus threw a few sledges at me the other day, she's going to die that I told you this. I was rebounding for her and Kiera Austin at practise and mentioned she'd missed a few shots. I said, 'I wish you could've done that during the grand final', and she let me know that by the time she was in goal attack in the third quarter, there wasn't too much pressure left in the game.

Despite the professional rivalry, a bit of good-natured banter from Adelaide Thunderbirds captain Georgie Horjus has helped Moloney see the lighter side of the situation. Horjus playfully teased Moloney about missed shots during a practice session, referencing the lack of pressure in the grand final. Moloney appreciated the comment, finding it amusing and fair, and expressed excitement about playing alongside Horjus rather than against her.

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It was funny because that's not Georgie's personality at all, so I actually loved hearing it from her, and it's a fair comment. I'm excited to be playing with her and not against her now.