The Melbourne Mavericks have secured their second win of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season with a 71-64 victory over the Queensland Firebirds, in their annual home game hosted at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart, Tasmania.
With captain, Amy Parmenter, back in the side, her leadership and ability to connect with everyone on the court was immediately evident.
Q1: Mavs 18 – 18 Firebirds
Parmenter started in her favoured WD position, leading the Mavs out on court. The Mavs started from behind early, with the firebirds leading, 9-5, but the Mavs were quick to turn it round. Tayla Fraser and Molly Jovic gained depth and strong drives onto circle edge, utilising Kim Brown and Parmenter in the centre third. Olivia Lewis’ athleticism shone early with a block from behind imposing Firebirds shooter Mary Cholhok’s shot. Sasha Glasgow played with confidence and sealed the quarter with a two-point shot.
Q2: Mavs 36 – 30 Firebirds
The second term saw one change for the Firebirds; Ash Barnett came into GK in an attempt to challenge Shimona Jok. At the opposite end, the threat of Lewis was again a more than apt match up against Cholhok, continuing to deflect and use her vertical leap to disrupt the play. Parmenter and Brown, although wearing defensive bibs, put the work in attack, receiving centre passes and remaining an option. The trio of feeders in Jovic, Glasgow and Fraser - were feeding from anywhere - demonstrating their trust in Jok. A full-team defensive effort paid off when the Mavs forced a turnover with a held ball call, proving all seven players are acting in defense.
Q3: Mavs 56 – 46 Firebirds
Entering the second half, the importance in keeping that connection down the court was evident. Brown and Lewis’ agility and fast feet around the goalers caused combined turnovers. In the midcourt, Parmenter, Jovic and Fraser took that front space and gained depth on the attacking but also applied defensive pressure in the team zones they created. Glasgow and Jok's partnership continued to grow, Glasgow had eyes for Jok each time she had the ball, whilst she worked the front space to allow Jok to remain strong at post. The Firebirds made moves in the Power Five, with Abigail Latu-Meafou coming on and quickly claiming two Super Shots. However, the Mavs kept control of the game.
Q4: Mavs 71 – 64 Firebirds
In the final term, composure was key – and the Mavs delivered. The goaling circle maintained 100% accuracy outside the Super Shot zone. Feeding into Jok was shared evenly between Jovic, Glasgow, and Fraser, with sharp movement creating constant scoring options. For the Firebirds, Latu-Meafou once again finished the quarter with an additional two Super Shots, however the Mavs' urge to respond from last week and trust in each other was clear in the way they played.
Post-match, Mavs head coach, Tracey Neville, praised her team’s response following last week’s loss.
“From my perspective, we all reflected on our performances last week and we were ready to go out better. That win for them was a real response about them answering me back, and I love that,” Neville said.
After the game, Glasgow also mentioned the leadership of Parmenter on the court and her impact on the game.
“The best part about Amy is she drives everyone to be a leader and for us to all use our voice - we lacked that connection with each other last week,” Glasgow said.
MyState Bank Arena, has held fond memories for the Mavs in their short history to date, another factor Glasgow reflected on.
"Last year, the girls just talked about how amazing the crowd was...and to experience that on court – it’s incredible. They love the opportunity to have sport down here, so they really relish in it, and we just absorb it all,” Glasgow added.
The Mavs’ second win of the season lifts them to fifth on the ladder in a tightly-contested SSN competition.
They now look ahead to facing the fourth-placed Adelaide Thunderbirds on next Sunday, May 25, at John Cain Arena. Tickets are now available via Ticketek.
