Round 8 of Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) saw the Melbourne Mavericks were defeated, 67–60, by the Sunshine Coast Lightning, highlighted by a thrilling final quarter comeback attempt by the Mavs.
Hosted by the Lightning at UniSC Arena it was a memorable return to the Sunshine Coast for the Mavs - after all, UniSC Arena was where they claimed their first ever club win in Round 4 of the 2024 SSN season.
Q1: Mavs 13 – 18 Lightning
The match started as it finished - with change of momentums. Lightning went out fast and caused pressure at the Mavs attacking end, starting the game off with a 7-2 lead. Courtney Bruce matched up on Shimona Jok, forcing Jok to adjust her movements. Amy Parmenter faced her Australian Diamonds captain, Liz Watson, whilst Molly Jovic was in a fierce battle with Mahalia Cassidy through the middle. Liv Lewis brought a shift with a timely turnover, allowing the Mavs to level the score at ten apiece. As the Power Five began, the threat of Steph Fretwell became evident, stretching Lightning’s lead out to five to finish the quarter.
Q2: Mavs 30 – 38 Lightning
Once again, Lightning came out strong securing the first two goals of the term. Sasha Glasgow found the front space of Jok, giving back and fourth feeds to Jovic on the circle. With Cara Koenen dominating the bulk of the shooting, the Mavs brought on Jessie Grenvold to contain her movement. Grenvold knew what she had to do - and went on to claim Mavs first intercept of the game. Former Mavs squad member, Kristiana Manu’a, came on to challenge Tayla Fraser, while Uneeq Palavi once again took to the court for the first time during the second Power Five of the match. Fretwell, went on and nailed three Super Shots, extending Lightning’s lead to ten. However, Jok’s drive brought the Mavs back to within eight, sinking her first Super Shot of the season to finish the half.
Q3: Mavs 41- 57 Lightning
At half time, Bruce said the game was a ‘fast and physical contest’ - this Mavs-Lightning rivalry is only growing, and the second half came down to who found the momentum to push away. The Mavs created midcourt movement with Parmenter shifting to centre, opening the opportunity for Maisie Nankivell to step in to WD. Grenvold made another intercept in the circle, however, the Lightning continued to pull away. Palavi returned to GA and Jovic re-entered at C. With the run of the Lightning still pushing, another big change came for the Mavs before the Power Five. Parmenter shifted back to WD, Glasgow into GS, whilst Grenvold headed into GD to welcome back Lewis in GK. Lewis had immediate impact with an intercept pushing the momentum towards the Mavs. Palavi scored two back-to-back Super Shots but up the other end of the court Fretwell didn’t shy away scoring another. Glasgow became a dangerous rebounder allowing Palavi to score another Super Shot to end the quarter.
Q4: Mavs 60 – 67 Lightning
The final term started the way of the Mavs, with a team turnover on Lightning's centre pass. The Mavs cleaned up their unnecessary penalties which created more opportunity for them to get the ball. Jovic and Fraser had clearer movements onto circle edge whilst Parmenter was bringing a tight contest to Watson. After the margin blowing out to as high aa an 18-goal difference, after the first six minutes of the final term, the Mavs worked it back to within ten, keeping them in the game. The Jok-Jovic feeding connection was evident and the back end of Lewis was hard to break, with another intercept heading into the Power Five.
Back within single digits, the Lightning re-introduced their experience in Koenen and Bruce as they could feel the Mavs gaining. Two Super Shots by Palavi and one by Jok brough the Mavs back to within five. The defence end was not giving way, with Lewis and Parmenter led back-to-back intercepts. Fretwell scored the final Super Shot of the game, seeing the scoreboard finish with a seven-point difference between the two teams. Despite the loss, it was a massive comeback from the Mavs, winning the final quarter, 19-10, putting themselves in the position to win the game.
Mavs Reserves
The following day, the Mavericks Reserves faced off against the Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts in a Super Netball Reserves clash. In a much-anticipated return, Lauren Parkinson made her comeback to the netball work after 14 months away following rupturing her ACL during the 2024 Team Girls Cup pre-season tournament.
The Reserves match was tightly contested, with the lead changing throughout. A goal on the final siren secured a draw, reflecting the fierce determination on both sides.
The Mavs will return to John Cain Arena for the second installment of the Melbourne Derby for 2025 next weekend. They'll face the Melbourne Vixens on Sunday 8 June from 2pm AEST.
