By Rosie Gale
In a commanding display of skill and strategy, the Mavericks triumphed over the Firebirds 69-62 at Nissan Arena, shaking off their disappointing encounter with the reigning premiers in the previous round to claim a convincing victory.
Led by Shimona Jok's exceptional performance and supported by Amy Parmenter's defensive pressure, the Mavericks controlled the match from start to finish.
Jok's display was particularly impressive, as she maintained her intensity throughout all four quarters. She accumulated an impressive 91.5 Nissan Net Points powered by e-power and showcased remarkable shooting accuracy, hitting 91 per cent 52/57 of her shots throughout the match.
“It means a lot to us- after last week’s game, we went back to training with a hard definition of what we want to do and how we want to represent out there on court," Jok said post-match.
"Going harder at training and not taking any shortcuts, I think that’s how we delivered out here today."
Amy Parmenter also played a pivotal role in shutting down Queensland's midcourt duo, Lara Dunkley and Macy Gardner. But ultimately it was the Mavericks' efficiency with the ball and calculated attacks which allowed them to seize control against a flustered Firebirds side.
Following a stifling encounter against the reigning premiers in the previous round, the Mavericks came through with a good start to the quarter.
Back-and-forth netball at Nissan Arena saw the away team take early possession of the ball for the majority of the quarter, as Molly Jovic and Eleanor Cardwell showed great patience and composure in attack.
A shaky start from shooting star Donnell Wallam, combined with some errant feeds into the circle, saw the Firebirds slip behind early.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks' midcourt clicked seamlessly with their dynamic shooting duo; Cardwell and Jok, showcasing an impressive synergy and they led 19-13 into the first change.
The Mavericks continued to assert their dominance in the second term, displaying blistering speed and attacking prowess.
Wallam found her stride in the second term, netting 10 out of 11 attempts and the Firebirds lifted their attacking game, increasing their ball speed on the circle edge to beat out a ball hungry Kim Jenner and Olivia Lewis.
The Firebirds' defensive duo of Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Remi Kamo found themselves struggling to contain the formidable Jok, as she continued to make her mark on the game with 33 Nissan Net Points powered by e-power, and a high shooting percentage (15/16) for the first quarter alone.
Heading into the Power Five period, the Mavs were in control with a 29-23 lead and with halftime looming, Emily Moore and Hulita Veve were called into action after a tactical break. They needed to wrestle back possession and deliver some game-changing Super Shots.
With just three minutes remaining in the second quarter, Wallam ignited the scoreboard with a remarkable Super Shot, closing the gap to within five points. Meanwhile, the Mavs opted for safer single shots.
However, Wallam's miss on a pivotal Super Shot proved costly, allowing Jenner and Lewis to seize the moment and push out their lead.
A stray pass from Bakewell-Doran to Wallam presented the Mavs with an opportunity to extend their lead, but Bakewell-Doran quickly rectified the error and regained possession.
The Mavericks were in control, dictating play and heading into halftime with a commanding 37-27 lead over the Firebirds.
With Donnell Wallam sidelined, Moore entered the fray in the shooting circle alongside Dwan, injecting dynamism into the home side’s attack. The shifting circle presented a new challenge for the Maverick defenders to contend with, but Lewis and Jenner rose to the occasion.
Veve's significant impact came in the form of a crucial intercept, setting up Dwan for a goal right under the post.
But Cardwell wasted no time, answering with a rattling Super Shot that extended the away side's lead to a commanding 17 goals as the Power Five buzzer echoed.
Moore countered with a Super Shot for the Firebirds, igniting hope. Dwan then stepped up with her own Super Shot, fueling a surge for her team. However, Moore's subsequent attempt missed its mark, halting their momentum.
As Cardwell's shot missed its mark and a purple pick-up ensued, the Firebirds' desperation for possession intensified. In a pivotal moment, Dwan sank a crucial shot, narrowing the deficit back to 10 points.
The Mavericks remained unflustered, leading the Firebirds 52-41 going into the final term.
The final quarter of the game saw continuous back-to-back contests between the Firebirds and the Mavericks.
With the Firebirds desperately seeking a resurgence, a strategic lineup change unfolded: Wallam returned to the court as GS, Moore shifted to GA, Ravaillion took over the C position, and Gardner moved to WA, injecting fresh energy into their lineup.
A touch by Kamo was swiftly capitalised on by Bakewell-Doran, bringing the difference back to just nine points with a successful conversion, and a full 10 minutes left to play.
In need of a spark, the next few minutes saw Wallam shine, recording back-to-back goals and 92 per cent shooting accuracy 13/14 to keep the Firebirds in it.
But the Mavericks asserted their dominance in territory, keeping the ball locked in their goal third as they thwarted the Firebirds' efforts and prevented any chance of a comeback.
Back-to-back Super Shots from Moore, sinking five out of six attempts, narrowed the gap to just seven points. However, Jok swiftly responded for the Mavericks with an important settler, maintaining their momentum.
Bakewell-Doran and Kamo continued to fight to try and win the ball back in the final minutes, but as the final whistle sounded at the end of the game, the Mavericks came away winning 69-62.
