The Mavericks have fallen to the Vixens in extra time in their Super Netball cross-town Melbourne derby match, with their day worsened by a possible serious knee injury to goal keeper Tara Hinchliffe.
The Mavericks appeared headed for their first ever win over the reigning Super Netball champions, but suffered a heartbreaking 72-71 defeat in their Saturday afternoon clash at John Cain Arena.
Hinchcliffe hit the court late in regulation time after trying to take an intercept, and the former Diamonds defender immediately looked to her bench and shook her head, with immediate fears she had suffered a third ACL rupture.
Her Mavericks teammate Reilley Batcheldor, who has herself suffered two ACL injuries, was in tears watching on as Mavs recruit Hinchcliffe was assisted from the court.
The Mavericks got off to a flying start and led 19-14 at the end of the first quarter, with Shimona Nelson nailing six of the last seven goals in the period.
But the Vixens showed their class to level at 31-31 by halftime, with the injection of Emily Mannix at goal keeper helping to stem opposition goals.
Vixens centre Kate Moloney finished the half rubbing her neck after a heavy fall following a collision with her opposite and Diamonds teammate Jamie-Lee Price.
The Mavericks regained the front-running at the end of the third quarter, 49-45, but were aware they had let a three-goal lead slip at the same point last round against the NSW Swifts.
Their fears rang true as the Vixens nailed seven straight goals, including two two-pointers by Kiera Austin, to go ahead 63-60.
Despite the shock of Hinchcliffe's injury, the Mavericks levelled it at 63-63 at fulltime.
In extra time the Mavericks did their best to stay in touch with the champions and brought two-point specialist Uneeq Palavi into the match.
She bagged three long-range shots, but they were never able to get ahead of the Vixens, who remain unbeaten after three rounds.
"I definitely don't think it was our best game out there," Vixens skipper Moloney said.
"I thought credit to the Mavs, they started well and they kept calling, but I knew in those moments where it's tight, these girls have the experience, and they know what to do, so I was really proud of the closure.
"To be here in Melbourne and put on a 72-71 overtime game is pretty special for our rivalry, so I know it's going to continue to grow, and to see the stadium packed out is awesome.''
Austin finished with five crucial two-pointers, while her Vixens teammate Sophie Garbin tipped in 47 goals from 52 attempts.
Nelson led the scoring for the Mavericks with an impressive 55 goals from 58 attempts.
