The Melbourne Mavericks are looking to build on a record-breaking 2026 campaign, after Netball Australia today unveiled its 2027 Super Netball fixture featuring blockbuster clashes, fierce rivalries and plenty of opportunities to take the next step towards a maiden Premiership.
After making significant strides on and off the court last season, the Mavs will open their 2027 campaign with a blockbuster Melbourne Derby against crosstown rivals the Melbourne Vixens, playing as the away team at John Cain Arena on Saturday 10 April.
The opening round clash promises to be one of the highlights of the competition's return, with the Vixens looking to bounce back from their 2026 Grand Final defeat, while the Mavs will be out to continue their winning form against their Victorian rivals, having secured their first-ever win over the Vixens the last time the two teams met.
The contest will also mark the first time former Vixen, Zara Walters, faces her old club in Mavs colours.
The Mavs' first home game follows in Round 3 when reigning Premiers, the Adelaide Thunderbirds, visit John Cain Arena, creating another marquee occasion early in the season. The match will also see recruit Tyler Orr come up against her former side for the first time.
In 2026 the Mavs enjoyed a record-breaking year for membership, with the club looking to build on that momentum and reach new heights thanks to a bumper schedule in 2027. With a fixture featuring blockbuster Melbourne Derbies, visits from the competition's biggest teams and a host of exciting match ups, the Mavs are hopeful of setting another club membership record next season.
CEO of SEN Teams – which holds the Mavs licence – Richard Simkiss, said the fixture presented an exciting opportunity for the club to build on the momentum of its breakthrough 2026 season.
"Last season showed what this club is capable of, but we're certainly not satisfied with simply being part of the finals conversation," Simkiss said.
"We've built a strong foundation over our first few years, and our focus now is on taking that next step and establishing ourselves as genuine Premiership contenders.
"To open the season as part of a marquee Melbourne Derby, welcome the reigning Premiers for our first home game, and having some fantastic rivalry matches throughout the year gives our members and fans plenty to look forward to.
"The support we've received from the Mavs family has been incredible, and to achieve record membership numbers in 2026 was a fantastic reflection of the connection we're building with our fans.
"With such an exciting fixture ahead of us, we're confident we can build on that momentum and set another membership record in 2027. We can't wait to welcome everyone back to John Cain Arena and create even more special moments together."
The Mavs will again host six home games at John Cain Arena, continuing the venue's role as the heart of Mavs netball, with details of the club's seventh home game venue to be confirmed.
Among the other highlights of the fixture will be the club's Round 8 home Derby against the Melbourne Vixens, providing another opportunity for Mavs supporters to turn out in force for one of the competition's fiercest rivalries.
Round 7 will see the Mavericks travel to Wollongong to take on the Sydney Sirens in the inaugural unofficial 'SEN Cup', marking the first meeting between the two SEN Teams-owned clubs.
The clash will also see former Mav, Molly Jovic, line up against her old side for the first time, adding another layer of interest to the contest.
The two sides will meet again in Round 14 when the Mavs host the Sirens at John Cain Arena in the final round of the regular season.
The 2027 Super Netball season will commence on Saturday 10 April, with the home-and-away season concluding on Sunday 11 July ahead of the Super Netball Finals Series and the Netball World Cup in Sydney from 25 August to 5 September.
Fans will also have greater access to the competition in 2027 under Netball Australia's new five-year broadcast agreement with Nine Entertainment, with every match available live on Stan Sport and free on 9Now, and a minimum of two matches each week broadcast on the 9Network.
