Down by seven goals at the end of the first quarter, the Firebirds stormed into the lead on the back of much-improved second and third-quarter efforts but couldn't hold out a fast-finishing Mavericks to lose 60-57 in the Saturday evening clash.
The narrow defeat means the Firebirds end the 2026 season with four wins from 14 matches and seventh on the ladder.
A Suncorp Super Shot by Te Paea Selby-Rickit right on the first quarter siren added some gloss to a poor opening term by the visitors as the Mavericks took a 19-12 lead into the first break.
Stung into action, the Firebirds responded in the second term, cutting the margin to four goals but could only win the term by one goal in the end to be down by six at halftime.
That deficit was halved within minutes of the third quarter starting and a seven-goal run late in the term fired the Firebirds in front as they won the quarter 20-11 to hold a three-goal lead heading into the final term.
The Firebirds held their opponents at arm's length until the start of the final Power Five when the Mavs levelled the scores going into the last five minutes.
The hosts were then just too good in the final few minutes as they held on to head into the SSN finals with a victory.
Mary Cholhok was immense for the Firebirds, scoring 40 goals at 98 per cent while Maddy Gordon bossed the midcourt and Kelly Jackson and Ruby Bakewell-Doran's defensive partnership was immense as the Mavericks used all four of their shooting options throughout the match.
