Fresh faces brings fresh purpose as Mavs hit Bendigo

SKIPPER Amy Parmenter believes the Melbourne Mavericks are embracing a clean slate as they head towards their SSN season opener against Giants in Bendigo today.

Following a change of coach and a substantial playing roster makeover, the Mavs under Gerard Murphy shape as one of the national league’s freshest and highly anticipated squads.

As many as five players – should they take the court at Red Energy Arena – will make their Mavs debut, headed by Australian Diamond and former long-time Giants midcourter Jamie Lee-Price.

Joining her are Reilley Batcheldor, Maddie Hay and Tara Hinchliffe, while for Sacha McDonald, it will not only be her Mavs debut, but also her league debut.

Parmenter, who will play her 100th SSN game today, can hardly contain her excitement at the ‘freshness’ surrounding the Mavs’ third SSN season.

“It’s super-exciting to have a new coach, four or five new players and we’ve been training at new venue in Albert Park, so there’s been lots of change,” she said.

“But it’s our third year now as a Mavericks team.

“There’s a lot we have established over that time, but with some real newness and exciting things to come as well.”

Having started her career with the Giants in 2019, before a switch to the Mavericks in time for the 2024 season, Parmenter said it felt like playing her milestone game against her former club was almost meant to be.

“I was actually supposed to play my 100th game at the end of last year, but I had an injury, and we were supposed to play against the Giants,” she said.

“We played them in round 14 (last year) and now we happen to be playing against them in round one as well.

“I think that there’s something going on there, but it’s going to be really entertaining.

“A couple of girls (Price and Hay) have just come across from the Giants to be at the Mavs in 2026, so there’s a bit of extra heated rivalry there, but we’re just really stoked to get (the season) underway.”

Parmenter was stoked to see last year’s Mavs Reserves team captain McDonald earn her SSN debut.

The 26-year-old has taken the long route to a full SSN contract, having spent three seasons as a Melbourne Vixens training partner from 2019-22 and a further two overseas in London, before landing with the Mavs Reserves team last season.

“Sacha is just an incredible player and has definitely earned her spot in this team,” Parmenter said.

“She is an incredible wing attack-goal attack, which is a very rare asset to have in your team because they can cover inside and outside your circle.

“She’s super experienced and has a clever head and is more than ready to step up to the plate.”

The trip to Bendigo will be the Mavs’ second in as many weeks, after playing the Vixens in a pre-season game last week.

Parmenter said the club was proud to bring elite level netball to regions like Bendigo, saying it was important for the growth of the sport.

The Mavs have strong links to Bendigo running through their roster, with defender Charlotte Sexton rewarded for a big pre-season with the 11th player role and fellow Bendigo Strikers star Teal Hocking confirmed as a training partner.

The Mavs skipper lauded Sexton, a member of last year’s triumphant Australian 21-and-under World Cup team, as a future star

“She is an incredible player, definitely one to keep an eye on,” Parmenter said.

“Tall, athletic and reads the game really well and she’s playing for Bendigo in the VNL, so she will definitely be around (on Saturday) if anyone wants to come and see her play.

“It’s definitely an asset to have her as our 11th player. She’s a star of the future for sure.”

Parmenter praised the scheduling of the Bendigo Strikers’ VNL season opener against Boroondara Express as a curtain raiser to the Giants.

“I think any exposure the girls coming through can get to play on an SSN stage has to happen,” she said.

“I’ve come through that pathway in New South Wales very similarly and that’s where you see your next generation of talent and that’s where the next SSN superstars are.

“To give them a platform is awesome and it will definitely be worth watching.”

Tickets for the Mavs-Giants game are available through premier.ticketek.com.au.

Mavericks squad: Reilley Batcheldor, Kim Brown, Jessie Grenvold, Maddie Hay, Tara Hinchliffe (vice captain), Sacha McDonald, Shimona Nelson, Uneeq Palavi, Amy Parmenter (captain), Jamie-Lee Price.

SATURDAY’S GAME SCHEDULE

12pm: Bendigo Strikers v Boroondara Express 23-and-under game (court 6).

2pm: Bendigo Strikers v Boroondara Express championship game (court one).

5pm: Melbourne Mavericks v Giants (court one).