The Melbourne Mavericks have ticked off another milestone in the young club's history, downing the top-of-the-table NSW Swifts, 68-64, to record the club's first pair of back-to-back victories for 2025.
In a match that showed hunger and drive, it was one to remember. The Mavs committed to the one-percenters, chasing down every ball and backing each other across the entire court.
With just two games remaining in the season, the Mavs showcased their talent and growth in a defining performance.
Q1: Mavs 17 – 16 Swifts
The Mas set the tone from the first centre pass, with three quick feeds straight into the hands of Shimona Jok. But the Swifts quickly found their rhythm, capitalising on two early turnovers and going on a 7–1 run. Amy Parmenter charged the fightback with an intercept that led to Molly Jovic feeding into Jok. Jessie Grenvold entered at GK, matching up against Grace Nweke, and made immediate impact with a huge intercept just moments after stepping on court. It was a full-team effort - Parmenter with a tip, and Jok, Tayla Fraser and Jovic all chasing to keep the ball alive. Another flying intercept from Grenvold brought the scores level, and with the vision of Jovic and Fraser feeding Jok, the Mavs took the lead for the first time in the match. To finish the quarter, Sasha Glasgow showed the Mavs’ intent, landing a Super Shot to give her team a one-goal advantage heading into the second.
Q2: Mavs 34 – 31 Swifts
The Mavericks knew they couldn’t get complacent in the second. The Swifts gained a turnover from the first centre pass, but Grenvold once again made a statement with another intercept on Nweke, swinging the momentum back to the Mavs. Kim Brown applied constant pressure on Helen Housby, forcing changes in the Swifts' goal circle. Another team turnover followed - Jovic with the tip, whilst Parmenter and Grenvold hunted it down. Fraser continued to impress with strong movement onto the circle edge, while the Mavs midcourt strategically broke down the Swifts' defensive transitions. Heading into the Power Five, the Mavs held a narrow two-goal lead, but the Swifts began to surge. A massive intercept from Parmenter, followed by full-court pressure, created another two turnovers. The Swifts responded by adjusting movement in the goal circle, trying to break the strong Mavs defensive unit.
Q3: Mavs 56 – 45 Swifts
The second half opened going back and fourth. Maddy Turner entered at wing defence to shut down Fraser’s powerful drives, while Jovic and Paige Hadley remained locked in a contested battle. The Mavs found mojo with sharp passing and dynamic movement. A key turnover followed by a rebound from Grenvold helped extend the lead to five. Jok showcased her versatility - no longer just a holding shooter but split and attacked the front space. Brown tipped a pass which Jovic scooped up to push the lead further. The Mavs took on the phrase 'pretty netball', moving down the court as a unit. Their confidence showed as the Swifts lost another ball from the defensive pressure. A Super Shot from Sophie Fawns pulled the Swifts within eight, but the crowd erupted as Glasgow nailed a Super Shot on the buzzer, pushing the lead out to 11.
Q4: Mavs 68 – 64 Swifts
The final term was a battle. Fraser continued to lead off the centre pass while the Mavs midcourt worked it around with composure. Jok was dominant under post, holding strong and finishing another play off a turnover. Glasgow proved goalers can defend too, picking up an intercept in the centre third. Brown blocked the goalies' space, and Grenvold drew a contact call on Nweke – highlighting the defensive acts that continued. Fraser and Glasgow linked up for quick give-and-gos. Fawns became a threat in the Super Shot zone, scoring two in a row to close the margin to three with four minutes left. Housby then added another, ramping up the pressure. But Brown’s tip, followed by Liv Lewis grabbing a rebound, gave the Mavs the chance to take control in the final minutes. As the siren sounded, the atmosphere around stadium was electric, proof that the mighty Mavs may be the new club on the block, but their fans are just as passionate as any.
Mavs head coach, Tracey Neville, spoke about the excitement surrounding the win.
“To get the back-to-back win - it’s the first time we’ve done that as a club - and to achieve a win against a top three team is a real success for us,” said Neville.
“These sorts of milestones really generate belief and confidence moving forward, so it’s something we’re really going to engage in and celebrate.”
“We’ve celebrated each other’s strengths and what we want to see from each other on court - it’s been a really positive process,” Neville added.
Goaler Shimona Jok reflected on the team’s motivation and drive to secure the win in their final home game.
“We just wanted to win. We wanted to make those connections and fight for each other - I think that’s one of those one-percenters we really delivered on tonight,” said Jok.
“To celebrate our last home game with a win is obviously the cherry on top. And the way we did it - we didn’t let it slide. We kept coming back and were so determined to deliver for our home crowd,” she continued.
The Mavericks have two games remaining in the 2025 season. Next Saturday, July 5, they head to Adelaide to take on the Thunderbirds - make sure to tune in on Fox, Kayo or Binge.
