Round five saw the Mavs face to face with some of the toughest competition this season, last year’s premiers, the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
With a late change to the team, seeing Eleanor Cardwell out of action, the Mavericks welcomed Nat Butler, to the team in her return to SSN! This was not the only change to the team, however, as Goose the Unicorn grew their wings, and the fans were loving it!
Q1: 11-16, Mavs down
The start of the game had the crowd louder than ever. With Trailblazer numbers growing each week, so too does the confidence of the Mavs. Both teams were not afraid to body up, with plenty of push and shove to set the tone of the game. With the Thunderbirds in every contest, the Mavericks showed true patience on court, pacing themselves with their goal conversion. Liv Lewis kicked her game off with a bang, flying for an intercept on the incredibly tough, Romelda Aiken-George. Nankivell and Fraser both performed in the Wing Attack position, finding Jok and Sinclair with ease.
Q2: 18-32, Mavs down
Quarter two saw the Mavs initially able to stay within reach of the Thunderbirds. New combinations, however, took their toll as the team lost the ball, struggling under the pressure of their opposition. Although it would seem to be a dire day for the Mavs, their never give up attitude won them a super shot at the hands of Gabby Sinclair, setting the team into motion for the remainder of the quarter. In exciting news, Nat Butler took to the court in her debut game as a Maverick, competing against Shamera Sterling. Manu’a ejected herself into the game in Goal Defence, working her magic in the circle and making it no easy task for the Thunderbirds to take to the post. With some regrouping to do, the Mavs trailed by 14 goals at the halftime break.
Q3: 27- 47, Mavs down
The third quarter proved itself to be an extremely tough battle for the home side, with the Thunderbirds covering all bases exceptionally well. Molly Jovic took to Wing Attack, creating opportunities for her team through both her skills and on court leadership. Butler found herself Goal Attack, shooting her first goal at her new club, allowing Jok and herself to find their rhythm in the goal circle. Liv Lewis took her game up another notch, not willing to let the Mavericks fall too far behind, having a crack at every loose ball and collecting many a deflection and intercept for her side. Late in the quarter, Fraser took to Centre, using her fiery footwork and tenacity to keep working for the Mavericks. The conclusion of the third quarter saw the team down 27 to 46.
Q4: 37- 59, Mavs lose
The Mavs set to work in the last quarter, lifting morale and focusing on their own game. Pushing for pickups and placing the Thunderbirds in a pressure box, the home team began to find each other on court and convert intercepts to goals. With Manu’a and Lewis joining forces and claiming any loose ball as their own, combined with Sinclair’s confidence to take and sink the two point shots, the Mavs' energy was rising. However, against the might of the Thunderbirds, who themselves had a cool and collected conclusion quarter, it was not enough to make a comeback on the scoreboard.
The Mavericks lost their third home game, 37-59.
Although it wasn’t the outcome the team was looking for, the Mavs will look to go back to basics and prepare for a hard week at training in order to come out bigger and better next weekend!
STATS TO REMEMBER:
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Both Gabrielle Sinclair and Shimona Jok shot with 78 percent accuracy.
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Liv Lewis clocked up five gains, one intercept and ten deflection.
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Gabrielle Sinclair received 13 centre passes.
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Christiana Manu’a collected three pickups.
NEXT GAME AND HOW TO WATCH:
The Mavs take on the Queensland Firebirds next Sunday, May 19, 2:00pm AEST, at Nissan Arena
