Latest news with #MelbourneMavericks
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Super Netball results: Melbourne Vixens claim derby bragging rights to keep finals hopes alive
Melbourne Vixens have retained bragging rights over cross-town rivals Melbourne Mavericks to keep their finals push alive after goaler Sophie Garbin spearheaded the team to a big win in their derby at John Cain Arena. In the fourth instalment of the budding rivalry between Victoria's two Super Netball teams, the Vixens powered to a 66-57 victory on Sunday to keep their unbeaten record intact against the league's fledgling franchise. Igniting the win with a powerful start, the Vixens were led by an MVP performance from Diamonds' goaler Garbin, who shot 48 goals from 51 attempts. Vixens' captain Kate Moloney led the charge in the midcourt, while Jo Weston had a game high five deflections in defence. The victory pushed the Vixens – at least momentarily – into the top four as they continue to fight the Thunderbirds for a position in the finals. After their third-straight win, the Vixens face a testing month ahead with matches against the New South Wales Swifts, Sunshine Coast Lightning and Thunderbirds. Shimona Jok (30 from 32) topscored for the Mavs, who rotated their goal circle throughout the match with Sasha Glasgow (8/10) Uneeq Palavi (12/17). The Mavericks remain in sixth position on the ladder and face a big challenge next week against the West Coast Fever. There was an audible sigh around the stadium after Mavericks' goal attack Sasha Glasgow crashed to the court heavily late in the third quarter. Contesting a rebound against Vixens, defenders Weston and Kate Eddy, Glasgow hit the court hard as she crashed out of court. After sitting up and adjusting her hair, Glasgow continued to play and was straight into the action with a deflection in the next passage of play before nailing a super shot with the next score. It was a bruising battle at times with bodies clashing and players hitting the deck. FAST START The Vixens blew the Mavericks away early with a blistering start to the match, racing to a 7-0 lead courtesy of their sharp ball movement and slick work in the goal circle. The Mavericks did not put their first score on the board – via Glasgow – until four and a half minutes into the match. While they eventually got the scoreboard ticking over, the Mavericks were staring at a 19-11 deficit at quarter-time. The Mavericks were able to cut a game-high gap of 12 in the second quarter, their slow start left them with too much ground to make up.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Tasmania building strong case to join Super Netball competition as AFL expansion chances hang in the balance
The future of Tasmania's AFL club may be in doubt as the proposed Macquarie Point stadium is used as a pawn in the state's ongoing political stoush. But there's a campaign building for another sports team the Apple Isle could throw its support behind that won't rely on new infrastructure being built. For several years, Netball Tasmania has been vocal about its desire to join the Super Netball league. When the Collingwood Magpies were disbanded at the end of the 2023 season, they left a hole that had to be filled in order for the elite domestic competition to fulfil its broadcast deal. Netball Tasmania, Netball ACT and the Gold Coast Titans all expressed their interest in the spot, before each party pulled out of the race due to time pressures. Ultimately, the eighth licence was awarded to Craig Hutchison's media company SEN and the Melbourne Mavericks were born. The process opened a can of worms about expansion, as people started to speculate what might be possible beyond 2026 when the league's current partnership with Fox Netball ends. Netball Australia says it is exploring all possibilities when it comes to expansion — whether that be incorporating more Australian or New Zealand teams. Here is the case for Super Netball to expand into Tasmania in the coming years. Although Netball Tasmania wasn't quite ready two years ago to enter the league, the conversations had around that time made the member organisation aware of the kinds of things they needed to put in place for the next opportunity. Similarly to what Hawthorn and North Melbourne have done in the AFL over the last decade, Collingwood had a Super Netball agreement in place with Tasmania to take one of their home games per season to the state. Games would be played at either at the Silverdome in Launceston (capacity 3,255) or the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Hobart (capacity 4,500). That tradition has now been carried on by the Mavericks. At their round six game against the Queensland Firebirds in Hobart, the official crowd was 2,857 and it's expected this number would grow if Tasmanians had their own team to barrack for. These two stadiums offer more seating than the Sunshine Coast Lightning currently have at their home venue, so they'd be the perfect size for a start-up Tasmanian side. Additionally, due to the fact that the Tasmanian Wild already exist as a team in the Super Netball Reserves competition, the existing club infrastructure means a Tasmanian Super Netball team would be less expensive to establish and would save taxpayers money. Tasmania has increased its netball participation base by 10 per cent over the last two years, taking its total number in 2024 to just shy of 10,000. Although it may have a much smaller pool of athletes than other member organisations around the country, the state punches above its weight. Five Tasmanian players were selected in this year's Australian under-17 and under-19 squads. "I believe it would be a really compelling proposition to have our whole state united for a female-led sport," Netball Tasmania CEO Mitch Coulson told ABC Sport. "Tasmania is well and truly on the radar of other sports so we want to make sure netball can grab a piece of that and that we stand our ground. "The reality is yes, we have a smaller participation base, but I think everyone here has a strong resolve to prove that we can produce athletes as good as anyone else. "They work so hard — if not harder — to push themselves to a standard that gets them noticed, but the big question beyond that is still, where does that lead?" Currently there are 10 full-time playing contracts for each of Super Netball's eight teams. There is also an extra six-month full-time contract for an 11th player on offer and roughly four training partner contracts per club. When you compare that ratio with netball's one million participants nationwide, it is clear just how difficult it is to break through to the top. Coulson said Tasmania would therefore be open to signing a Super Netball roster that blends talent from their state and elsewhere. Funding of course is a big factor, but the member organisation is already in discussions about obtaining that cash and is also considering private equity stakes and ownership. "For the size of its participation, the number of professional netball contracts is extremely disproportionate compared to other codes, and to attract the best female athletes, we argue a team here would also be beneficial for the broader game," Coulson said. "We believe we've earned it … We've had multiple years with growth in participation and there's lots of other codes making noise down here, so it's an interesting time for Tasmanian sport." The Tasmanian Wild will compete at the upcoming Super Netball Reserves play-in tournament and extended finals weekend that takes place from June 16-22. Super Netball Reserves is in its second season and runs across seven rounds as a tier two competition, contested by eight academy teams aligned with the Super Netball clubs. Tasmania, ACT and the Northern Territory have only been invited to the back end of the tournament and will play each other once to determine how they will be ranked for the finals weekend against the Reserves sides. This format will replace the Australian Netball Championships this year as the governing body reassesses its pathway offering. As a result, the three state-based sides have less opportunity to play. Coulson is pushing for Tasmania to be incorporated for the full tournament next year. "Although the bigger dream is to get into the fully fledged Super Netball competition, our addition to the Reserves format would serve as an ideal launching pad," he said. In the meantime, another step Netball Tasmania took this year was to form an alliance with Netball South Australia. This, they hoped, would create a pathway for their athletes to the top level as they work towards their own Super Netball team. Two athletes who have been picked up already include Ellie Marshall and Charlotte Walker, who have been playing for the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Super Netball Reserves. Walker has already had a stellar year. She was signed as a training partner to the senior side of the two-time premiership winning club and made the Australian under-19 squad after an impressive campaign at nationals. At the Thunderbirds, she has been learning from the very best. Australian under-21 head coach Cathy Fellows is an assistant there and Walker was also training alongside star Jamaican duo Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson in the lead-up to the season. Walker is now in the frame for selection for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup. "Unfortunately, Tasmania doesn't have its own Super Netball environment, so this step up in another state has been huge for me," Walker told ABC Sport. "I've been getting advice from some of the best defenders in the world — they've taught me how much I can contest outside the circle, that's really opened my eyes — and I've been practising against some of the best shooters in the league too. "Growing up I never imagined in a million years that I could get picked as a training partner, so I think if our state had a team, it wouldn't seem so out of reach. "Until then, I can't see anything wrong with being friendly with every state and trying to create more of these partnerships, because it opens up more opportunity. "Even having a Tasmanian Reserves side would also offer us that higher competition as well."
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fretwell the super shot star in lethal Lightning strike
A banged-up Courtney Bruce produced a stellar defensive effort and Steph Fretwell backed it up with a perfect shooting display as the Sunshine Coast Lightning defeated the Melbourne Mavericks 67-60. Bruce crumpled to the floor in pain with a left ankle injury and could barely put weight on it as she limped off the court in the second quarter of Saturday's Super Netball clash at UniSC Arena. The Lightning led 24-15 at the time, but Bruce's exit allowed the Mavericks to close the margin to four goals a few minutes later. Bruce was able to return near the end of the quarter, with her presence proving crucial as the Lightning blew out the lead to as much as 18 goals in the third quarter, before holding off the Mavericks' late fightback. Lightning goal shooter Cara Koenen scored 45 goals from 51 attempts in a strong effort, but it was Fretwell who was the star in the big moments. Fretwell nailed a perfect 7-of-7 super shots in a remarkable display, and also converted 7-of-7 from normal range on the way to 21 points for the match. Star Mavericks shooter Shimona Jok finished with 41 goals from 42 attempts to go with two super shots, and Uneeq Palavi made 5-of-11 super shots, but it wasn't enough. The result improved the Lightning's record to 5-3, while the Mavericks (2-6) face a monumental task to make the finals. "Last week I wasn't really happy with how I shot, probably been a bit dodgy for the past few weeks," Fretwell told Fox Sports after the match. "Shooting this week was a big part that I wanted to make sure I executed." Denied by Bruce 👊🏼 Watch every game live on Kayo Sports, Foxtel and Binge. — Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) May 31, 2025 The first quarter was a topsy-turvy affair, with the Lightning shooting out to a 7-2 lead, the Mavericks fighting back to level the scores, before Fretwell's super shots gave the home side a 18-13 lead by the first break. Bruce's injury in the second quarter resulted in a momentum shift. But when Bruce returned to the court and Fretwell nailed some more long-range bombs, the Lightning entered the halftime break with a 38-30 lead. The third quarter was one-way traffic as the Mavericks' scoring dried up and the Lightning went into overdrive, opening up a 57-41 lead by the final change. The margin was whittled down to six goals with three-and-a-half minutes left, but the Lightning were able to hold firm from there. "We are really good at coming from behind at the moment, it's one of our strengths," Mavericks centre Molly Jovic said. "When we've got nothing to lose, we go for it, and we need to work out how to do that from the first quarter."
Perth Now
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Sheer perfection as Jok nets 61 as Mavs douse Firebirds
Star goal shooter Shimona Jok has produced a perfect shooting display to lead the Melbourne Mavericks to a 71-64 Super Netball victory over the Queensland Firebirds in Tasmania. Jok nailed 61 goals from 61 attempts in Saturday's match at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart as the Mavericks snapped a two-match losing streak. The result left both the Mavericks and Firebirds with a 2-4 record. Jok was the star of the show, with her strength and accuracy proving too much to handle as the Firebirds rotated three different goal keepers on her across the match. The 26-year-old Jamaican worked beautifully with goal attack Sasha Glasgow, who is still working her way back to full fitness following a career-threatening leg break last year. Glasgow finished with 27 feeds, 17 centre pass receives, eight goals and one super shot. "Sasha's just coming back, (so it's about having) a bit of patience and giving her that confidence," Jok told Fox Sports. "We all got around her and were like, 'Yeah Sash, you've got it. Never doubt yourself. We're always going to be here'. "It just gave her confidence to play freely." After an 18-18 stalemate in the opening quarter, the Mavericks took the ascendancy in the second term. Jok's hot hand propelled the Mavericks to a 36-30 lead by halftime, and the lead ballooned out to 11 goals several times in the third quarter. Firebirds defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran was forced off in the third quarter after copping a hit to the eye in a collision with Glasgow, who also had to go off for a concussion test. Both were eventually able to return to the court. The Mavericks led by 10 goals at the final change, and it was a margin the Firebirds weren't able to peg back. In contrast to Jok's hot shooting, Firebirds goal shooter Mary Cholhok struggled with 33 goals from 44 attempts. Her replacement, Abigail Latu-Meafou, was far more accurate, nailing five-of-five goals to go with four-of-five super shots.
News.com.au
17-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Super Netball, round 6 news, scores: Jok stars in Mavericks' win over Firebirds
In a Super Netball match that featured a good old fashioned shootout, the Melbourne Mavericks banked just their second win of the season, by seven points against the Queensland Firebirds. Both teams featured towering shooters and defenders working overtime to make a dent in their volumes. It was the Mavericks who had the best of the deal, with a pumped up Shimona Jok rock solid under the post with perfect stats of 61/61 in an MVP performance. Goal keeper Liv Lewis was also having her best game of the season showing incredible athleticism to force four blocked shots against opponent Mary Cholhok. Despite giving away a 17 centimetre height difference, Lewis' aerial display restricted passes into Cholhok and her confidence to go to the post. Her volume of just 33/44, despite a supportive cameo from Emily Moore, just wasn't enough to threaten Mavericks on the scoreboard. After watching from the sidelines last week with an ankle injury, Mavericks captain Amy Parmenter made a spectacular return to the game. Her physicality forced numerous errors by the Firebirds as she finished with two gains and four deflections. A heavy head collision between Firebird Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Maverick Sasha Glasgow in the third quarter saw them both leave the court. Both were forced to temporarily leave the court under the league's concussion protocols, with Bakewell-Doran visibly distressed on the sidelines. Earlier this week, Firebirds goal attack Tippah Dwan decided to step away from the game to continue rehabbing her knee. Dwan's departure presents a prime opportunity for Emily Moore to show why she deserves a full 60-minutes which, coach Kiri Wills said is something she would like to see from Moore. While she didn't quite hit those minutes today, her contribution of 17/22 is heading in the right direction. Samoan goal attack Abigail Latu-Meafou has been filling the vacant goal attack role for the Firebirds over the last two rounds. Latu-Meafou's connection with Cholhok is on point and her efforts at post also helped the Firebirds make a comeback attempt, however her nine from ten including four supershots were not enough. MISSING MAVS Today's match marks 20 outings for the Melbourne Mavericks. Yet since their inception 18 months ago, the team has not once taken the court with their full 10 contracted athletes. In 2024 Sasha Glasgow and Lauren Parkinson (nee Moore) missed the full season. So far in 2025 Parkinson is yet to make her Mavericks debut, and English international Eleanor Cardwell is unlikely to return to play until Round 12, as she rehabs from knee surgery. WILL THEY SWAP DWAN FOR A DIAMOND? Mere hours before the news dropped that Dwan was taking a break, former Firebird and Diamond's goal attack Gretel Bueta posted a netball training session to social media. The Liz Ellis Diamond winner hasn't played netball in well over two years, after having stepped away to expand her family with husband Nico. And while it could be a great coincidence and pure speculation that she is making a return to the game, the timing could be the saving grace for the Firebirds.
