The Melbourne Mavericks continue to re-write the club’s history books having secured their first ever derby win over the Vixens in round 13 of the Super Netball season.
Less than 24 hours after it was confirmed the Mavs would feature in the finals series for the first time in the club’s short history, Gez Murphy’s squad rallied to claim bragging rights over their cross-town rivals in a thrilling 59-50 win.
The Mavs went into the final term leading by four goals and shooting star Uneeq Palavi was brought into the game.
By the time the final power five siren sounded, the Mavs advantage was down to one goal.
Enter Jessie Grenvold, an incredibly timed intercept proved the turning point and from then it was all Mavericks.
With three minutes to play Murphy's side led by five goals an advantage that soon extended to eight.
The sell out crowd was left silent as the Mavs won their first Melbourne derby ever.
Player of the match Jamie-Lee Price said: "I feel like we just keep creating history and that's the great thing about it as this club is so young. This is so fun.
"Last night's results allowed us to secure top four which is amazing. A lot of us have not played finals for a really long time and that allowed us to play freely.
"We have grown as a group, Gez is so calm and cool and doesn't put too much pressure on us. This is so exciting.
"It's so refreshing to know we can put whoever on and they can play their role. Pav is our energy bunny and she's so creative out there."
Losses for the Sunshine Coast Lightning and NSW Swifts assured the Mavericks of at least fourth place in the ladder for the 2026 season with a clash with Fever a certainty when it comes to week 1 of the finals series.
What remains undecided is who will play host for the clash on the weekend of June 20-21.
“I think you can't deny it helps (beating two top three sides heading into finals),” Murphy said.
“I don't really mind so much, but for the girls, I think just knowing that it's there and that they've done it, I think, does just cement it, and just removes that pocket of doubt.
“It might be five per cent, but it's five per cent of doubt that they don't have anymore, and so I think that just gives an extra little bit of security almost for them.
“For me personally coaching, it makes no difference, every game I think we can win if we execute our plan… it’s definitely helpful, but not 100 per cent our focus.
“Today wasn't like, ‘you must beat Vixens’ blah, blah, blah, nothing like that. It's really more, ‘hey, this is a good opportunity, if we have a good run here, this sets us up well.”
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