Australia's national Indigenous netball side have sent a major statement with a historic win at their second showing on the world stage in Meanjin / Magandjin (Brisbane).
The First Nations Black Swans, playing at their second Pacific Netball series against world netball ranked international outfits, downed four-time winners and current world no.8 Tonga to wrap day one of the tournament on Monday night.
The Black Swans trailed by as many as four goals mid-way through the final quarter in the tight affair before a late to down the series' top-ranked side 58-56 at Nissan Arena.
Tonga dropped just the single game after consecutive blemish-free campaigns on their way to another success in the final last year.
In their debut match at the tournament and as an initiative in 2024, the Black Swans fell short to the eventual champions.
They rallied to finish in top spot after the rounds portion - unable to compete for the title as an invitational outfit.
In Monday's rematch, goaler Jamaica Jauncey starred in the circle shooting 48/51 attempts coupled by a faultless addition from Olivia Clark.
At the other end, sister Scarlet Jauncey was instrumental with four interceptions in goalkeeper lining up against 2024 Super Netball season debutant Uneeq Palavi.
Leading by a single goal in the final minute of play, Scarlet Jauncey got fingertips to a Tongan feed allowing Aaleya Turner to intercept allowing her side drained the clock in the front third before a final goal sealed the result.
Torres Strait talent Maryke Babia and midcourter Tierrah Miller - who impressed with 23 goal assists, debuted in the win.
Returning defensive asset Brook Lacey was also solid with three intercepts.
Speaking to National Indigenous Times post-match, Scarlet Jauncey admitted there were some nerves in the final moments.
"I'm so proud of my girls out there today. They were so incredible. Our amazing debutants in Tierrah and Maryke and they did an amazing job - our first Torres Strait Islander on the court (in Babia). We're just over the moon, we're going to be celebrating tonight but then we've got to back it up," she said.
"We want teams to be intimidated by us, and this is our standed on the court. We're really excited to play against some other competitors and get some more debutants out there this week."
She added: "To get a winner against a top team like Tonga is really important to us and for our family and our culture, and to show that we do have First Nations athletes that are really talented within our pathways".
The Black Swans feature three sets of sisters in the series; Turners Aaleya and debutant Nasyah, and 2024 players Jayden and Tia Molo alongside the Jauncey pair.
"It feels awesome to be back playing with some of the same girls and building new connections with the new girls," Aaleya Turner told National Indigenous Times on Sunday
"Showing our individual flair and our team flair is an awesome experience."
They take on Papua New Guinea (ranked 31st in the world) - who arrive back after missing last year's tournament, on Tuesday.
Fixtures with top 10-ranked 2025 inclusions Scotland, Samoa (18th) and Fiji (14th) follow through the week.
The PacificAus Netball Series, supported by the Australian Government, is available to watch on Kayo.
