Mavericks on managing their emotions

By Matt Fotia 

Despite a myriad of injuries to key players and countless other obstacles, the Melbourne Mavericks remain entrenched in the SSN finals race with just a fortnight of netball to go. 

The Mavericks snuck home (72-71) against the Sunshine Coast Lightning in front of a vocal Hobart crowd, completing their second one-goal win over the Lightning this season.  

Defender Olivia Lewis was still stunned when speaking during the post-game press conference, crediting her sides collective will to win. 

“We just find a way,” Lewis said. 

“It says so much about the group that we have, the way that we play for each other and really just pulled everyone over that line, the way that all ten of us stepped out on court and did our jobs, I think it epitomises the Mavericks.” 

Lewis went on to say the Mavericks togetherness has been a strong point in their inaugural SSN campaign. 

“The rollercoaster that we’ve been through over the last eight months would break a lot of teams, especially ones as fresh as us,” the former Vixen said. 

“We all have such a common purpose and such a clear vision and we’re all on the same page and I think that’s really what makes a team tick.” 

“We like to keep them close, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.” 

Four of the Mavericks five wins this season have been by under eight goals, including their two one goal victories of the Lightning, displaying their ability to stand up under pressure. 

But it’s their inability to string together consecutive performances, let alone wins, that frustrates their coach. 

The Mavericks are yet to win two games in a row and have lost by over 15 goals on three occasions off the back of a victory and their coach believes it’s their tendency to ride the emotional rollercoaster that’s to blame. 

“At the moment as a team I don’t think we can manage our emotions,” Neville said. 

“We go on such big highs like today, and then we go on such big lows like last week. 

“We really want to celebrate the wins and we did today, that meant a lot to our team because we know that gives us five wins and the next two games are really important, but we also have to be able to manage them (emotions). 

“We have to look at ourselves and de-emotionalise. 

“I’m not trying to take away the spark of winning, but what I’m saying is winning teams win and then they move on.” 

The Mavericks sit fifth on the ladder, just percentage behind the Lightning, with two rounds to go and Neville believes her side is beginning to click together as they become more accustomed to how one another plays their netball. 

“For me it’s all about ticking off the processes,” Neville said of the finals race. 

“We prepare in the same way every week, we make adjustments to make it work for our team, but I feel like these (players) are starting to learn about what it takes to be a world class athlete and (are) starting to put it together behind the scenes. 

“They deliver a lot on the stuff that we do in training, and I think that’s so important to build into the next game.” 

Injuries have curtailed the Mavericks season more than anyone else in 2024, with contracted players Lauren Moore and Sasha Glasgow suffering season ending injuries before round one, while players like Eleanor Cardwell and Molly Jovic have been missing at times as well. 

However, with Cardwell back fit and Jovic set to return this weekend, Neville and her staff are set for some selection headaches following the performances of Tayla Fraser, who had 27 feeds and 21 assists, and Gabrielle Sinclair who shot five crucial goals (including two super shots) at 100% in the final five minutes on Saturday. 

The former England coach welcomes the upcoming selection debate, comfortable with her communication to players about their roles within the side. 

“I think every single one of them put (forward) a selection headache,” Neville said. 

“To leave Gabs (Sinclair) on the bench when she puts in performances like she did tonight and against the Firebirds is really difficult, but we roll with ten players. 

“We’ve said to each of them, each one of you adds such an advantage to our team and when they start to appreciate what their role is, how they can work in the team, how they can work with the relationships and the people that are on the court, I think that is when we’ll really start to really challenge.”