Last weekend's loss at Nissan Arena to the Adelaide Thunderbirds means the Firebirds have slipped out of the top four for the first time this season.
The Mavericks meanwhile are also out to find some form, with just one win from their five matches and having suffered a heavy defeat to the West Coast Fever in Perth last weekend.
LAST TIME WE MET
The Mavericks secured a 12-goal win at John Cain Arena to end an emotional week for the Firebirds last June.
After parting ways with Head Coach Bec Bulley during the week, Lauren Brown stepped in as interim coach with the Mavericks claiming a 73-61 victory to make it two wins from two against the Firebirds in 2024.
Despite the loss, the game was a memorable one for Melbourne-born defensive midcourter Maddi Ridley who was introduced at the start of the second half to make her SSN debut and become Firebird No.113 with her mother, father and brother watching from the stands.
TEAM NEWS
After making her return to Suncorp Super Netball for the first time since 2019 last week against the Thunderbirds, Abigail Latu-Meafou will continue in place of Tippah Dwan (knee). Latu-Meafou scored four goals from six attempts in her return for the Firebirds, also providing four goal assists to Mary Cholhok in her 19 minutes on the court.
Mavericks captain Amy Parmenter (ankle) was a late scratching in the 78-61 loss to the Fever but the Australian international's return will provide some a real lift for her team.
KEY MATCHUP – Isabelle Shearer vs Shimona Jok
Shearer continues to impress week-in, week-out against the world's best shooters with the second-year Firebirds defender claiming six gains, three intercepts and four deflections against former Firebird Romelda Aiken-George in last week's loss to the Thunderbirds.
Mavericks' shooter Shimona Jok's importance to her team is reflected in her 235 goals, 75.3 per cent of all of the Mavericks goals this season. Only Swifts' recruit Grace Nweke (75.5 per cent) has shot more of a team's goals in the league in 2025.
Shearer will need to step up again to limit Jok's influence and help the Firebirds keep the Jamaican quiet.
KEY STAT
The Mavericks have the worst defensive record in the league after five rounds conceding 68 goals per match.
LAST WORD
"We're showing really good patches but it's about holding it together consistently for 60 minutes. One of our key words is connection, so let's make that connection work for us by demanding more from each other. We've come together as a group. We've sorted a few things out but how do we go to that next level so that's where we're at now." - Firebirds Head Coach Kiri Wills on the challenge that lies ahead for her team after three straight losses.
HOW TO WATCH
Watch Saturday’s game live and on demand on Kayo Sports and Foxtel as well as on Binge. International viewers can catch the entire 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season live and on demand via Netball Pass.
