The Firebirds had a tough night against a rampant West Coast Fever in Perth last week, falling to a disappointing 94-58 defeat as the table-topping Fever maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
Hot off their maiden SSN win over the Sunshine Coast Lightning, the Mavericks were smothered by the elite defending of the reigning premiers as they slipped to a 59-37 home defeat to the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
LAST TIME WE MET
Sunday's game will be the first time the Firebirds have faced the Mavericks in Suncorp Super Netball but the two teams did face off in the pre-season Team Girls Cup in Sydney in March.
Donnell Wallam's decisive goal with just eight seconds on the clock at Ken Rosewall Arena secured the Firebirds a thrilling 43-42 victory in the opening day of the tournament.
TEAM NEWS
No change for the Firebirds although head coach Bec Bulley is giving more and more minutes to Isabelle Shearer, Emily Moore and captain Kim Ravaillion in recent games as she utilises her full squad. The Firebirds selected 10 is: Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Lara Dunkley, Tippah Dwan, Macy Gardner, Remi Kamo, Emily Moore, Kim Ravaillion, Isabelle Shearer, Hulita Veve, Donnell Wallam.
The Mavericks have been beset by injury before and during their maiden campaign with Sasha Glasgow and Lauren Moore both suffering season-ending injuries. Last weekend Nat Butler (nee Medhurst) made her return to SSN as an injury replacement for Eleanor Cardwell but the English star is back in the line-up for Sunday's game although Tayla Fraser has been ruled out due to a lower leg injury and replaced by training partner Montana Holmes.
KEY MATCH-UP - Lara Dunkley v Amy Parmenter
Firebirds vice-captain Dunkley has been a standout in the midcourt in 2024, recording a team-high 66 Nissan Net Points in the loss to the Fever despite only playing 35 minutes. Her link with Wallam and Tippah Dwan is crucial for the Firebirds' scoring hopes and already Dunkley has posted 84 goal assists this season. Hoping to stop her on Sunday will be Australian Diamond and inaugural Mavericks captain Parmenter, who has been an ever-present for her new club at wing defence following her off-season move from Giants Netball.
KEY STAT
Both teams are currently sitting on 83 per cent shooting accuracy, suggesting whichever teams' goalers can bump that figure up on Sunday will get a winning edge.
LAST WORD
"It's definitely good to be back ... those were two tough games for us so we just a need a bit of a confidence boost and nothing better than playing at home here at Nissan, so really looking forward to that against Mavericks," - Firebirds midcourter Hulita Veve.
HOW TO GET THERE
All the information regarding game day is available here. For fans residing in Australia, you can watch Saturday’s game via Foxtel or Kayo Sports. Meanwhile, international viewers can watch the game via Netball pass. For more information click here.
