The Melbourne Vixens have defeated the Queensland Firebirds 53-42 to win the trans-Tasman netball championship.

The emphatic grand final victory at Hisense Arena on Sunday was the perfect send-off for 37-year-old Vixens goal-shooter Catherine Cox, who is retiring after a stellar career that included 108 international appearances for Australia.

The Vixens led by just two goals at three-quarter time before dominating the final term.

Cox scored six goals from seven attempts in the final term, and provided a crucial steadying influence with the match in the balance.

Romelda Aiken led the Firebirds’ scoring with 25 goals from 30 attempts, although she was penalised for dissent when a call went against her in the last quarter.

Amy Wild scored 17 from 21 for the visitors who had also been beaten by the Vixens in the major semi-final two weeks ago.

Tegan Caldwell had a game-high 30 goals for the Vixens and Karyn Bailey scored 17 before making way for Cox.