Sharpshooter Shimona Nelson became the second player to score 5000 Super Netball goals, but it was her replacement Uneeq Palavi who stepped up in the Melbourne Mavericks' moment of need to overcome a spirited Queensland Firebirds 60-57.
Knowing a win on Saturday would help the Mavericks tighten their grip on third spot and inch closer to hosting next week's minor semi-final, Nelson nailed 33 goals from 39 attempts to bring up the milestone and follow in the footsteps of fellow Jamaican Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing as the Firebirds provided an almighty scare when they rallied from a dismal first quarter to lead 46-43 at three-quarter time in front of a stunned John Cain Arena.
Melbourne tried desperately to wrestle back the lead in a tense final period, and a big tap by midcourter Amy Parmenter allowed the home team back into the contest.
