The Melbourne Mavericks have downed the Giants to bank their first win of the Super Netball season, with goaler Shimona Jok starring in her 100th game.
Both teams entered the split-round match on Easter Sunday in Melbourne hunting a breakthrough victory after two losses apiece to open the 2025 season.
The home side emerged victorious, with Jamaican Jok key to the 71-56 win, scoring 60 goals from 63 attempts, converting at an impressive 95 per cent.
The 26-year-old started her career with Adelaide, then shifted to the now defunct Collingwood, before joining the Mavericks for their maiden season last year.
Jok, who had to overcome an accidental eye poke early in the third quarter, said it was "special" to celebrate her milestone match with victory.
"It was really special out there, the girls really had each other's backs," Jok told Kayo Sport.
"It goes to show that when you have a team-first mentality you can do anything out there.
"We went out there and delivered - it's been quite hard the last two games as we know what we can deliver, so today is just a small testament of what we can really do."
Melbourne entered the match without their usual starting goal attack Sasha Glasgow, ruled out with a calf injury, with Uneeq Palavi making her first start in the position.
The Tongan international, who began the season as a training partner, was also a strong contributor, firing the ball off to Jok while also scoring nine goals from 11 attempts.
It was an all-court effort, with centre Molly Jovic outplaying her rival, Diamonds star Jamie-Lee Price, while defenders Kim Brown and Olivia Lewis kept the pressure on the Giants goal circle.
Matisse Letherbarrow topped the scoring for the Giants with 21 from 25 attempts, but turnovers and penalties made life difficult for the Sydneysiders.
With slow starts proving costly in their previous two losses, the Mavericks started with intent and led 17-12 after the first quarter.
Only four goals split the teams at halftime, with the home side leading 31-27.
With Jok nailing 16 from 16, the Mavericks pushed the margin out to a commanding 52-41 heading into the final term.
The Giants tried to lift, but the Mavericks maintained their focus to collect a well-earned win.
