By Charlie McKay
Tarntanya Karntu have taken down Melbourne Mavericks 66-59 in a clinical showing at John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The win lifts the defending premiers to third place, proving that their mission for a three-peat is more than viable.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks slip to sixth place with just two wins to their name this season.
The teams went goal-for-goal early, but Tarntanya Karntu earned the first break of the match through tight defensive work from Latanya Wilson.
Wilson was tasked with the challenge of containing Jamaican team mate and Mavericks star shooter Shimona Jok despite a notable height difference.
The visitors began to build momentum through slick connections between Georgie Horjus, Lauren Frew and Romelda Aiken-George, who showed no signs of her usual shooting nerves.
Tarntanya Karntu held the upper hand early and took a 20-16 lead into quarter time.
Wilson was best on court, racking up 11 gains, 7 intercepts and 127 Net Points Mavericks coughed up some unforced errors in the second, opening the door for Tarntanya Karntu to extend their lead.
Despite Tarntanya Karntu's dominance in one-point netball, Frew proved she's a genuine Power Five threat, nailing a pair of super shots to keep the visitors in control.
But Uneeq Palavi answered in style at the other end, draining three consecutive super shots to keep the Mavericks in the fight.
The home crowd erupted, lifting the Mavericks as they clawed their way back into the match. They headed into half time trailing 31–37.
Frew is pushing for Diamonds selection with impressive distance shootingIt was a tennis match in the third term as fatigue set in.
But the intensity didn't fade, and both teams attracted a flurry of gains through strong defensive structures.
It was a tightly-held stanza but Tarntanya Karntu charged forward, limiting the Mavericks to only nine goals and taking a 52-40 lead into three-quarter time.
The away team finished as they started, putting their foot down in the fourth while maintaining skill and composure.
But the Mavericks made an impressive fightback, utilising a two-pronged super shot threat with Palavi and Sasha Glasgow to narrow the margin.
Still, the visitors were too strong, closing out the match 66-59.
Head coach Tania Obst was pleased with the win and her team's full-court efforts.
“It’s always difficult to play away from home, but this place brings back nice memories for us.”
Mavericks will take on Sunshine Coast Lightning away next week, while Tarntanya Karntu will match up against the undefeated Swifts in Sydney.
