Mavericks edge Firebirds as Nelson reaches milestone

Sebastian Tan | June 13, 2026

Sharpshooter Shimona Nelson became the second player to score 5000 Super Netball goals, but it was her replacement Uneeq Palavi who stepped up in the Melbourne Mavericks’ moment of need to overcome a spirited Queensland Firebirds 60-57. 

Knowing a win on Saturday would help the Mavericks tighten their grip on third spot and inch closer to hosting next week’s minor semi-final, Nelson nailed 33 goals from 39 attempts to bring up the milestone and follow in the footsteps of fellow Jamaican Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard. 

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing as the Firebirds provided an almighty scare when they rallied from a dismal first quarter to lead 46-43 at three-quarter time in front of a stunned John Cain Arena. 

Melbourne tried desperately to wrestle back the lead in a tense final period, and a big tap by midcourter Amy Parmenter allowed the home team back into the contest. 

With Nelson off, Palavi nailed 100 per cent of her shots while goal keeper Jessie Grenvold claimed a crucial deflection to seal the win for Melbourne. 

Attacker Reilley Batcheldor was also busy registering 18 feeds, 11 goals and 11 goal assists while centre Jamie-Lee Price contributed 35 feeds and 21 assists to help Melbourne win a fourth consecutive game for the first time. 

“I was a little bit rattled in that third quarter, if I’m being honest. But then, when I had a break, I could relax and take a breath,” Price told Fox Sports. 

“It was good to put ourselves under pressure like that. The Firebirds had nothing to lose and they went out there and just had a crack.”

The victory means the West Coast Fever must beat the Melbourne Vixens on Sunday to have a chance of taking third position and play the Mavericks (9-5) in Perth for a spot in the preliminary final.

Fresh off a shock 66-59 victory against rivals Sunshine Coast Lightning last Saturday, the already-eliminated Firebirds (4-10) looked to create another upset on Saturday. 

Centre Maddy Gordon (20 feeds, 15 goal assists) was inspirational, while goal shooter Mary Cholhok kept her cool to slot 40 goals from 41 attempts.

Both teams exchanged goals to start, but some lapses in the Firebirds’ concentration proved costly as the Mavericks opened up a 19-12 lead at quarter time. 

Queensland settled in the second period, closing the deficit to six by the main break, before the Firebirds stepped up their defensive pressure in the third quarter to lead by three. 

In a thrilling final period, both teams went tit for tat until Melbourne broke away and clinched the win.