Melbourne’s favourite side, the Mavericks set out to do themselves, and their Trailblazers proud in what is not only their final home game hit out, but members round brought to us by Imar Insurance!
The Queensland Firebirds, in fragile spirits after the loss of their coach, Bec Bulley, were still looking to stand up and get off the bottom of the ladder for season 2024. The team put up an exceptionally tough fight, however, the Mavs came out stronger and fiercer, stealing the game away from under their noses.
Q1: 16-14, Mavs lead
The Mavericks meant business from the first whistle as they took to the first quarter, causing the Firebirds to cause a turnover in the first ten seconds of the game. Not only were the crowd energised, the Mavs looked confident and direct from every area of the court.
The Mavs were finding Jok and Sinclair early, both dominating their goal circle despite pressure from Bakewell-Doran and Kamo. Cardwell, still out with injury, Gabby Sinclair has stepped up enormously over the past few weeks, and was no different this game, shooting with 100 percent accuracy!
Liv Lewis and Kim Jenner were working circles on Wallam and Dwan, making it exceptionally difficult to go to post for the away team. Winning major ball, however, was our attacking midcourt, with both Sinclair and Nankivell coming away with intercepts to their name.
POWER 5:
Come the power five, Sinclair shot two super shots with ease, the first within the first five seconds of the period. Lewis had a stellar intercept that saw John Cain Arena erupt. There was no denying, this is the most confident the Mavericks have looked this season.
Despite Wallam’s super shot response, the Mavericks had a strong finish to the first quarter, leading the Firebirds by two goals.
Quarter time break saw three fans come away with family passes for season 2025 as they won a game of ‘goose says.’
Q2: 34 - 30, Mavs lead
The second quarter saw both teams really begin to settle into the game. With tensions high and a lot on the line, the athletes left it all on the court coming into half time.
A late contest from Dunkley saw Sinclair hit the deck, promptly helping herself up to continue to collect seven centre pass received, and shooting goals that put the Mavericks in the lead. Not only was Sinclair putting them away, as was Jok, who’s iconic eap and split are unlike any other in the league. The Mavs attacking pressure
POWER 5
The last five minutes of the quarter saw Wallam put up one super shot accurately, allowing the Firebirds to get up and about. However, putting their confidence to rest was Gabby Sinclair, or should we say, Gabby SINK-Lair as she continued on to sink an additional two super shots.
The last moments of the first half were electric, with an intercept from Jenner in the dying seconds of the game. The Mavs cross court confidence allowed a three pass entrance to the goal circle, ending with a buzzer beater from Jok, who’s celebrations were as energetic as the crowd.
Q3: 53 - 42, Mavs lead
Coming into the three quarter time huddle, the Mavericks sought to increase their lead. Pressure from the Firebirds saw a couple of errors in placement, but nothing could stop the Mavs defensive pressure, with Jenner and Lewis continuing to rule over the Firebirds goal circle.
Another intercept at the hands of Jenner allowed the Mavs to continue their lead, working it up to eight goals.
The Sabco spray mop was in full force with the amount of bodies being put on the line and in turn, hitting the deck, and even our own Jovic and Jok had their go of cleaning the court!
POWER 5
The Power Five saw the Mavericks picking up loose balls in spades, and saw themselves up by 10 goals. Jok’s consistently clean takes and reliable goals were key to the Mavericks’ one point game, keeping the scoreline ticketing over in their favour. Wallam’s supershot was combated with Sinclair’s.
The Mavericks drove it home in the last two minutes, with their never give up attitude and gunning for the one percenters to extend their lead, showing just how desperate and capable they were of getting a second win over this side.
Q4: 73-61, MAVS WIN!
In the final quarter, the Mavericks could taste victory, and had to defend it with all their might. Vision and patience down the court was strong, and enabled the team to maintain their lead.
A stand out quarter came from Lewis who’s repeat efforts did not go unnoticed. Lewis came away with two gains, one intercept and one deflection, on the extremely talented Donnell Wallam.
The mavericks defensive efforts had the firebirds goalers doubting themselves, rocking their confidence leading into the final five minutes of the game.
POWER 5
Once again, the Mavericks were happy to sink the one point shots to keep their lead ticking over.
In desperation, Wallam scored two super shorts, trying to give her team a slight chance of coming back.
In the final forty seconds of the game, Jovic went off with a blood nose, and saw Fraser take to the court, which the crowd was loving!
A final intercept from our captain, saw the Parmy Army up in arms, and in a fairytale finish, Gabby Sinclair shot a buzzer beater two point shot that saw the Mavericks get the win in their final home game, with scores at 73-61.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COACH:
Head Coach, Tracey Neville, in a post match press conference was in high spirits after the game.
She noted the Mavs to have executed “clinical work” despite each week being “completely different” for the team.
“Taking moments and learning from them” were the words spoken from the Head Coach, and no doubt, leading into next week’s clash against the Thunderbirds, the Mavs will be looking to branch out and hold their own better and stronger than the last time they came up against this side.
In response to the rest of the Mavericks games being ‘away’ games, Neville noted that there are “a lot more distractions at home”, and that the Mavericks enjoy “taking the opportunities to gel and connect off the court.”
“Being on the road is a real positive for us”, Neville stated.
The Mavericks will take on the Thunderbirds in their home arena next weekend, and, if the Mavs can play as well as they did today, nothing can stop them from getting another win on the board.
NEXT GAME AND HOW TO WATCH:
Sat June 22, 7:00pm AEST, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
