Bendigo's Ciatlin Thwaites was on the wrong end of a stray elbow and the scoreboard as the Melbourne Vixens suffered a shock three-goal loss to Collingwood on Monday.
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The 55-52 result was Collingwood's first Melbourne Derby win in Super Netball.
Thwaites made 31 of her 32 attempts at goal despite being forced to leave the court for a short time in the third quarter after she copped an elbow to the face.
She returned to lead the Vixens on a final quarter surge, but it wasn't enough to get the points.
Coach Simone McKinnis was left frustrated after the Vixens fell behind early, citing basic skill errors as the main factor.
"That made it hard for ourselves, every step of the way," McKinnis said after the loss.
"I can't question the defence, I thought we got some great ball back and I just didn't think we had the finish in that shooting circle that we needed."
Collingwood goal shooter Shimona Nelson finished with 48 goals, but her accuracy in the second half guided the Magpies home, making 25 of 26.
Magpies coach Rob Wright was pleased with their response in the second half.
"I'm not pleased about giving up a seven-goal (quarter-time) lead but in those moments sometimes I feel like things can unravel and I felt we hung tough at that time," Wright said.
The Magpies held the Vixens to a season-low eight-goal opening quarter before a tactical switch in midcourt helped the home side find their flow in the second term, drawing level before a late run from Collingwood ensured they took a three-goal edge into halftime.
Thwaites helped the Vixens close the gap to two goals by the end of the third quarter.
But a 7-3 start to the final term set up the win for the Magpies, Nelson's accuracy under the post proving the difference.
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