Round two saw the Melbourne Mavericks travel to Sydney to take on the New South Wales Swifts, and what a momentous occasion it was.
In their first away game, the Mavs worked exceptionally hard at training and came into the match full guns blazing.
Our starting seven: Eleanor Cardwell, Gabby Sinclair, Taylor Fraser, Molly Jovic, Amy Parmenter, Kim Jenner and Olivia Lewis set out to take on the talented Sam Wallace-Joseph, Helen Housby, Maddy Proud, Paige Hadley, Allie Smith, Maddy Turner and Sarah Klau.
Q1: The first quarter saw Gabby Sinclair, in her 50th SSN game, shoot the Mav’s first goal. Exceptional circle defence came from the likes of Sarah Klau and Maddy Turner, however this did not stop Cardwell and Sinclair utilising the base line and putting up an incredible fight as a beginner duo! Helen Housby shot at 100% accuracy in the first, with 6/6 goals in normal time and punishing her opponents with 6/6 super shots in the power five. This didn't stop the Mavs from fighting back, however, with Olivia Lewis and Kim Jenner contesting every ball and putting the Swifts in a pressure box of their own.
The conclusion of the first quarter saw the Mavs just eight goals down with scores 20-12.
Q2: Quarter two saw Rolene Streutker come into GS, Cardwell out to GA, Jovic to C and Nankivell to WA. These changes for the Mavs sought to straighten out the on court connections and add a spark to their game, finding Streutker under the circle on multiple occasions, who was confident in going to the post. Despite this, the Mavs were still trailing 37-23 at the half time mark.
A halftime interview with captain Amy Parmenter revealed the team’s need to “get [the ball] and possess it.” She called for the Mav’s to “take advantage” of the moments they are in possession, and continue “having a crack and winning ball because [they] have nothing to lose.”
Q3: Coming out of a huddle with the passionate Tracey Neville, the Mavs performed their best quarter of the season. With Molly Jovic and Amy Parmenter putting their bodies on the line in the midcourt, the defensive pressure and desire to win was back on for the team in blue.
Nankivell made her mark in WA with her quick hands and footwork, allowing Sinclair and Cardwell to shoot the Mavs to a minor victory, winning their first quarter in SSN with an impressive 13-11 goals. The Swifts, however, beating them only with experience, lead the Mavericks 48-36 going into their final quarter.
Q4: With the Swifts only having to top up their lead with single point shots, largely through the hands of Sam Wallace-Joseph, the pressure was on for the Mavericks to shoot for two, with Cardwell up for some strong contests against the likes of Sarah Klau. There was midcourt mayhem with a tough battle seeing Nankivell and Smith clash, alongside Taylor Fraser, ex Swift, Maddy Proud, and Paige Hadley all proving just how much the game meant for these teams.
With some small teething problems arising for the Mavs, the Swifts proved too strong this time, taking the game away 67-56.
Despite their second loss for the season, the Mavericks were optimistic about their future and are committed to bringing their best for each other and their fans each and every game. Eleanor Cardwell spoke after the match, noting, “the connections in every single person are just growing and growing.”
One thing is for certain, if this team continues to put the work in, they have a shining shot at showing up the West Coast Fever next weekend.
Round three will see the Mavericks take on the Fever at home on Saturday April 27, 7:00pm AEST, John Cain Arena.
