THE 2021 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season has come to a close with the focus now on the off-season and next year. Draft Central takes a look at each teams respective season with the next team under the microscope the West Coast Fever.

Ladder: 3rd
Win-loss: 11-3
Percentage: 116.9%

The Fever were never out of the race this season despite a disadvantage from the get-go, starting the season on negative points due to historic salary cap issues. Whilst fans were torn, the Fever got on with the job and proved hard to stop from the start until the very end, with head coach Stacey Marinkovich bidding farewell to put her full energy into Australian Diamonds commitments. Fever were quick to dispose of their negative points with a huge start to the season, and did not relent with only a few losses on their way to an unexpected finals berth to cap off their daring year. Losses to all three of their fellow top four sides did not bode well heading into finals though, with the Sunshine Coast Lightning coming out confident in the minor semi-final before the Fever rose up to claim a preliminary final chance, but their luck ran out against the GIANTS with their season officially cut short before a grand final berth.

What worked well?

The cohesive Fever group was just about unstoppable during the season, with that all for one and one for all mentality getting them through every task thrown at them. Newcomer Sasha Glasgow slotted in seamlessly alongside Jhaniele Fowler and Alice Teague-Neeld, complementing both goalers well and offering a different style to Teague-Neeld out in goal attack. Comparatively, the defensive unit consisting of captain Courtney Bruce and young gun Sunday Aryang was rarely out of the contest, challenging until the final second of each game as they worked in overdrive to win ball back. Factor in the side’s lack of heavy rotations – bar the goal attack position – and they were hugely consistent within their starting seven to ensure they came out firing and did not relent.

What went wrong?

While there were not too many flaws in the Fever’s game plan, their reliance on Fowler was hugely predictable and eventually became a weapon that opposition teams used against them come finals time. The Fever’s excellent midcourt unit stepped up a notch, but the connection with Fowler stayed the same with the long, high ball feed in from range putting the goal shooter under a heap of pressure. While this game plan did not always fail the Fever, the team’s reliance on it made it hard to adjust in the heat of the game as the pressure continued to mount, with little alternatives they could put in play to change the course of the game. Factor in the deliberate non-use of their goal attacks in the attempt to guarantee Fowler goals rather than risk long range shots from the shorter goalers, and the side had nowhere left to turn when she was not on song.

Most valuable player?

There are little goal keepers more consistent and exciting to watch than Bruce, with the Fever captain relentless in her hunt for the ball and willingness to do anything to get her team over the line. With speed, tenacity and a newfound cleanliness, Bruce was an all-round threat this season utilising her excellent footwork and body positioning to have an impact on and off the ball. What made Bruce such a valuable player was her leadership, often being the one to spark the side into action with a much-needed intercept and willing her teammates to lift their game. Her consistency and reliability in the last line of defence was second to none, putting doubt into feeders and receivers minds with her speed off the mark, timing and excellent vision to spot the cross-court ball.

Most improved player? 

In a team built around experienced heads, there was one young gun who managed to go above and beyond her brilliant first season at the club to star once more, and that was Aryang. The goal defence already had the talent to impact on the contest last season, but this season she stepped up a notch and really developed her consistency and endurance to provide a non-stop threat both inside and outside the circle. With nothing to prove and everything to gain, Aryang utilised every trick in her arsenal to pile on the defensive pressure across the court and create exciting plays. The young talent still has a way to go in her development, which makes her all the more impressive to watch with light feet and evasive movement on full show.

Photo credit: AAP / Richard Wainwright