The Melbourne Mavericks have overcome a horror start and a late scare to pull off the biggest boilover of the Super Netball season, defeating the NSW Swifts 68-64 at John Cain Arena.
The sixth-ranked Mavericks (4-8) still need a miracle to play finals, but showed they can play the role of top-four spoilers, winning the first three quarters on Saturday night to bump the Swifts (9-3) down to second position.
Centre Molly Jovic chalked up a career-high 32 assists from 44 feeds, combining brilliantly with wing attack Tayla Fraser (24, 37) and spearhead Shimona Jok (61 goals).
"Awesome," Jovic said. "I feel like it was a whole-team performance.
"The Swifts came back in the end and we were able to hold (our) composure, which we haven't been able to do across the season.
"Just super proud of the girls."
Melbourne looked home and hosed when they led by 11 goals inside the last nine minutes, before NSW staged a spirited fightback.
Swifts goal shooter Grace Nweke hit four straight before Helen Housby's two-pointer with three minutes remaining slashed the gap to 66-64.
Jok scored at the other end, before Mavs defender Olivia Lewis blocked Sophie Fawns' first super-shot, rebounded the NSW shooter's second attempt, and guided the hosts to safety.
The shock result was all the more meritorious given the Mavericks had to claw their way out of an early 8-1 deficit after an error-riddled start.
Jovic and Fraser spearheaded the stunning turnaround as Melbourne went on an 8-1 surge of their own to lead 17-16 at quarter-time.
The Swifts coughed up six turnovers in the second term as the Mavs stretched their advantage to 34-31 at halftime.
NSW trimmed the margin to one goal in the third before Melbourne went on a tear.
Jovic racked up a remarkable 12 assists for the term, Jok added 20 goals without a miss, and Sasha Glasgow's two-pointer on the three-quarter time bell capped a 16-6 burst to blow the margin out to 56-45.
