By Matt Fotia
At their best, the Mavericks were as good as anyone in the competition.
Their problem?
They couldn’t produce their best anywhere near enough.
Unfortunately for the Mavericks, injury played a big part in their 2025 campaign.
While Sasha Glasgow and Lauren Parkinson did eventually make their debuts for the club, marquee signing Eleanor Cardwell was unable to hit the court at any point due to a persistent knee injury.
Add onto this their inability to lower their penalty count, much to the frustration of coach Tracey Neville, and a clear sense that the Mavericks were unaware who their best goal attack and wing attack were and it’s incredible they competed as well as they did for so long.
There were positives of course.
Eleventh player Jessie Grenvold took her chance with both hands, fan favourite Uneeq Palavi showed plenty of promise whenever she took to the court, Kim Brown found her best form, while Molly Jovic and Shimona Jok continued to prove they are players of immense quality.
The Mavericks struggled to find consistency in 2025.BEST WIN
When the Mavericks welcomed the NSW Swifts to John Cain Arena in Round 12, many thought this game would provide the Swifts with the perfect opportunity to get back on track after a spell of poor form.
But the Mavericks had other ideas.
Tracey Neville’s side were enjoying their best spell of form for the year, having pushed the West Coast Fever and defeated the Queensland Firebirds, and hit the ground running, keeping pace with the Swifts for the first two quarters before surging away in the third (22-14).
The Swifts threatened late but were unable to reel in the Mavericks, who led by Kim Brown (nine deflections and four gains) and Molly Jovic (44 feeds and 32 assists) nabbed a set of back-to-back victories.
MVP
It just must be Kim Brown.
Brown returned to career best form in 2025, leading from the front all season as the Mavericks battled through a multitude of challenges on and off the court.
The tenacious defender finished the season with 52 deflections, 40 gains and 15 rebounds and played a key role in the Mavericks ball movement from goal defence.
Her performances caught the attention of many, and some had her name being thrown around by Diamonds selectors, something she will be eager to replicate in 2026.
Brown was one of the Mavericks shining lights in 2025.2026
Incredibly just three (Amy Parmenter, Molly Jovic and Kim Brown) of the Mavericks original ‘10’ will be at the club when pre-season begins for 2026.
Four if you count inaugural 11th player Shimona Jok.
Eleanor Cardwell has returned to the UK to play for the Manchester Thunder, Olivia Lewis has decided to chase her AFLW dream, Tayla Fraser and Sasha Glasgow are heading back to their previous homes (Swifts and Fever respectively), while Maisie Nankivell and Lauren Parkinson weren’t offered deals.
Plus, Tracey Neville’s time at the club is also done.
While the departures don’t make for pretty reading, there is plenty to be excited about when it comes to the arrivals board.
Jamie-Lee Price has joined the club from the GIANTS and will add some more star power to their midcourt. Her addition will likely see Molly Jovic swung into wing attack, which is not her preferred position, but a middle third of Jovic-Price-Parmenter is a stark improvement on their 2025 combination.
Jamie-Lee Price will be a welcome addition to the Mavericks line-up.Lightning duo Tara Hinchliffe and Reilley Batcheldor have also made the switch down south.
Hinchcliffe was one of the Lightning’s best performers this season and will be keen to re-connect with former Firebirds teammate Kim Brown. The signing of Hinchliffe will free Brown up to slide into goal keeper.
The move for Batcheldor is equally as exciting. Most of her opportunities on the Sunshine Coast came in goal shooter, but the Queensland product was a natural goal attack in her youth and will provide much needed versatility in attack alongside Jok and the upgraded Uneeq Palavi.
Meanwhile the signings of Jessie Grenvold and Sacha Macdonald have been well received by Mavericks faithful, after their strong showings at SSN and SN Reserves level respectively.
The big question which looms over the Mavericks is who will coach them in 2026.
Nicole Richardson will return, but only as assistant coach, and there have been no strong rumours linking the club to any coach.
Unlike the other available role (at time of writing) across town, this job has the freedom of no expectations and could be the perfect opportunity for a young coach eager to make their mark in the world’s best netball league.
