Netball: Firebirds easy winners over Vixens

Firebirds shooter Natalie Medhurst. Photo / Getty Images

Life without captain Lauren Nourse began with a convincing win for the all-conquering Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane on Thursday night.

But things weren't so rosy for another side without their champion - the Sharelle McMahon-less opponents, the Melbourne Vixens.

Undefeated Queensland locked up a home final by extending their remarkable club record unbeaten run to 11 games with a 57-36 trans-Tasman netball win in front of 3,053 fans.

It was a rousing result for the Firebirds who were still reeling from news this week that Nourse had been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Their finals fate has been sealed - but the Vixens' remains up in the air after their Thursday night hiccup.

One of four teams vying for the three remaining finals spots, the Vixens' (6-4 record) chances were further complicated by playoff rivals Waikato-BOP Magic (6-3) pulling off an unconvincing 53-49 win against the Canterbury Tactix on Thursday night in Rotorua.

The Vixens had won their two previous games since their inspirational skipper McMahon suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last month, in a major shot in the arm as they kept their fingers crossed for a second trans-Tasman league title in three years.

But they looked badly out-of-sorts as they began a demanding road trip that will also take in Perth against the Fever on Sunday.

Celebrating her 50th match, Firebirds sharp shooter Romelda Aiken was at her dominant best with 36 goals at 84 per cent.

Proving a perfect foil was her partner in crime Natalie Medhurst (21 goals at 72 per cent).

For the Vixens, Kate Beveridge (24 at 73) and Tegan Caldwell - stepping up to replace McMahon in the circle - had 11 at 65.

It marked Queensland's third straight win over the Vixens.

Queensland were never headed on Thursday night, leading 16-9 at quarter-time, 29-18 at half-time and 43-30 at three-quarter time before cruising to victory.

After an "emotional" week, Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke had her heart in her mouth when Aiken fell heavily in a contest in the final term but breathed a little easier when her trump card emerged unscathed.

"That gives us confidence knowing that we have options (without Nourse) still," Jencke said of the win.

"When we had our first training session (after confirming Nourse's serious injury) it was emotional.

"Then we re-focussed on the job we had to do on the Vixens - we are trying to keep things as normal as possible."

Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg did not think her side were down and out but slammed their performance.

"Our centre court didn't stand up tonight which was disappointing for us," she said.

"If that is our standard then we are way off it - that is not a finals performance from us.

"We have a lot of work to do in the next three weeks to be anywhere near competitive.

"We will not pull any punches - we were way off.

"But I bet you see a different team on Sunday."

- AAP