Newly-appointed Melbourne Vixens coach Simone McKinnis will meet with Sharelle McMahon to determine the former national netball skipper's playing future.

Former Australia wing defender McKinnis, who played 63 Tests, has taken over from Julie Hoornweg, who stepped down after five years in the job.

McKinnis joined the Vixens this year as a defence specialist and was integral in helping steer the team into the ANZ Championship grand final where they were beaten by the Magic.

The team has since lost Australia defender Julie Corletto to New Zealand team the Northern Mystics while goal shooter Kate Beveridge will play with Perth next season.

Goal-keeper Amy Steel and mid-courter Elissa Macleod have both returned home to Melbourne from the Queensland Firebirds while Chelsey Tregear has retired.

McKinnis said there were still three or four positions available on the playing list.

One of those could go to McMahon, who hasn't played since rupturing her Achilles tendon mid-season in 2011.

She intended making a comeback for the 2012 competition but fell pregnant, giving birth to a baby boy, Xavier, in late August.

"She's only just had the baby but Sharelle has indicated previously that she's keen," said McKinnis, adding that a decision would need to be made by early November.

Winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 1998 and world championships in 1991 and 1995, McKinnis was a popular choice among the players.

She was also captain of the Melbourne Phoenix in 1997 and 1998, including the premiership-winning team in 1997.

McKinnis has coached at the Australian Institute of Sport, overseeing the successful national under 21 team.

She said she felt comfortable taking over the top job after a season working closely with Hoornweg.

"I didn't know until Julie resigned that the position was going to be coming up but I'm really happy about it.

"There's a big difference being an assistant to being a head coach but I think it's a real advantage of being involved in the program for 12 months rather than coming in cold."