Devastated after last week’s game against the Thunderbirds, the Melbourne Mavericks have set to work at training to right their wrongs.
Coming up against the Queensland Firebirds who too endured a substantial loss over the weekend, both teams find themselves searching to keep their season alive.
LAST TIME WE MET:
The first time these teams battled it out was at the preseason Team Girls Cup saw the Mavericks go down narrowly to their opposition, with the final score sitting at 42-43 goals.
STATS FROM THE SEASON:
Set to be an extremely close game, the stats highlight that the win will be rewarded to the team that is more clinical when in possession of the ball.
• Both teams have only won a single game this season.
• Both teams are currently sitting on 83% shooting accuracy.
• The Mavericks have won six quarters this season, compared to the Firebirds seven.
KEY MATCHUPS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
Liv Lewis V Donnell Wallam
Liv Lewis will be ready for action this weekend, taking on Donnell Wallam in the goal circle. Not a stranger to the two-point shot, Wallam will be looking to punish the Mavs come the power five. However, Lewis has been firing up in recent weeks, collecting 21 deflections and 179 Nissan Net Points. This matchup is sure to turn some heads and it will be interesting to see just who comes out on top.
Amy Parmenter V Kim Ravaillion
Keep an eye on this defensive pairing as both apply pressure like no other players in this league. Parmenter will be out to add to her five intercepts she has already racked up this season, with Ravaillion looking to start her collection. Having an undeniable willingness to leave everything they have out on the court, these two athletes will highlight just how much of an impact they can have on the game.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COACH:
In halftime discussions against the Thunderbirds, Head Coach, Tracey Neville sat down with her side, talking team strategy and connectivity that will no doubt carry on into the game this weekend. Neville noted that the team was only “focused on what [was] going on in front of [them]” rather than assessing all options. She called for the team to play in a controlled and clinical manner, asking them to go back to basics and “just play netball.”
The Mavs will look to supersede these expectations and take home bragging rights against their well-rounded opposition.
MATCH DETAILS:
WHAT? SSN Round 6
WHO? Melbourne Mavericks V Queensland Firebirds
WHERE? Nissan Arena
WHEN? Sunday, May 19, 2:00PM AEST.
