IN a do-or-die clash for the GIANTS, it was West Coast Fever that flexed their muscles in the final quarter with a narrow five-goal win (71-66) in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN). Having not trailed at half-time since Round 6 the Fever came out with a real intensity in the second half, riding through the GIANTS constant attacking forays to grind out the win and end their opponents hopes of finals.

It was goal for goal to start the term but a huge defensive effort from the GIANTS gave them the early edge as they skipped out to a three-goal lead. Kiera Austin and Jo Harten were on song under the post early for the GIANTS as the duo created plenty of space. It was a defensive masterclass from the centres as Jamie-Lee Price and Verity Charles came up big for their respective sides with an intercept apiece. Levelling the scores thanks to their quick transition down court the Fever flipped the script stealing the lead thanks to the hot hand of Jhaniele Fowler.

The steady pace continued for both sides as they scored off their own centre passes and proved patient in attack to work the ball down the court. The GIANTS had a wealth of opportunities but failed to capitalise on their chances thanks to relative inaccuracy or wayward passes in the goal circle while the Fever on the other hand used their quick transition to full effect to push out to a three-goal lead.

Hunting for the super shot, the accuracy of Harten and Austin suffered with their range slightly off target credit to the defensive pressure over the shot from both Stacey Francis and Courtney Bruce. But the GIANTS dug deep applying a wealth of pressure and taking a couple of big rebounds to gift the shooters another chance to eat into the margin. With the minutes ticking down Austin and Harten found their rhythm to somehow regain the lead albeit by two goals off the hand of the captain.

The GIANTS came out with a real fire in the belly, converting off their centre pass and winning ball back to nail the first three goals of the second quarter. Their increased movement inside the circle kept Bruce guessing while Francis drew the attention of the umpire allowing Austin to roam freely. Maddie Hay had a real pep in her step using her impressive vision and quick ball movement to catch the Fever defenders off-guard with her dynamism.

Down by five goals, West Coast fought their way back into the contest through some quick ball movement and Fowler’s accuracy. Looking to find an answer down in defence youngster Sunday Aryang entered the game in goal defence as Francis re-entered the game moments later in wing defence in hope to nullify the GIANTS fast ball movement.

After having the wood over her in the opening term, Harten showcased her class against Bruce to keep the scoreboard ticking over and create some separation. Sam Poolman reaped the rewards of a wayward pass taking a nicely timed intercept and most importantly the GIANTS capitalised on the turnover to once again establish a four-goal lead. The momentum continued to ebb and flow however the GIANTS seemed to maintain some form of composure.

The difference in game plays starting to become evident as the GIANTS looked to sink the super shot while the Fever opted for the easy shot under the post with the latter working their way back into the match. Kaylia Stanton made her way onto the court in goal attack replacing Alice Teague-Neeld who was struggling to find her groove while up the other end Austin seemed to have the ball on a string as the GIANTS extended their lead to three goals.

It was much of the same in the third quarter as the connections in the GIANTS attack came to the fore while for the Fever the ball placement of Charles was critical. The GIANTS were playing with some real flair and excitement in the frontline with Harten pulling out the party tricks with her one handed takes. The introduction of April Brandley paid dividends for the GIANTS as the goal defence immediately won ball back and streamed down court as her side went on a scoring spree nailing three goals in a row.

The GIANTS skipped out a game high six-goal lead as everything started to fall their way but it was the composure of Fowler that was paramount to the Fever staying within touch. The influence of the goal attack was null-in-void for the Fever as with just over six and a half minutes left on the clock Fowler was had shot their entire score.

The Fever made a couple of bold defensive changes with Bruce swinging out to the goal defence position while youngster Olivia Lewis pulled on the goal keeper bib, however that did not seem to faze Harten nor Austin. The hustle from Price was impressive as the centre turned herself inside out to keep the ball in play as it landed in the lap of Austin. An injury to Hay sent the wing attack to the bench as the GIANTS shuffled the bibs around as Amy Parmenter moved into the wing attack position and Kristiana Manu’a re-emerged in wing defence. It turned into a super shot shoot out as Stanton came alive. With five seconds left on the clock Fowler manager a super shot to hit the lead for the first time heading into a break.

With 15 minutes left to play it was big defensive plays that dictated the term as Austin flexed her defensive attributes to pick up an intercept and stream down court with Price. But the Fever were determined to hold onto their four-goal buffer as inaccuracy plagued the GIANTS goalers. The Fever seemed to have things fall their way as they created a seven-goal margin, their largest of the game prompting a GIANTS timeout. Claire O’Brien injected some speed into the attacking third, while some defensive heroics from Austin changed the course of the game as the GIANTS snuck back within five goals. a huge final few minutes from Bruce shone through as the Fever ended any hopes the GIANTS had of making finals walking away with a five goal win.

The Jamaican goal shooter continued her hot form under the post notching up 62 goals at 96 per cent accuracy, while Stanton came on with a purpose nailing five goals two of which were super shots. Speaking of super shots Harten and Austin were unstoppable combining for nine as Harten finished with 29 goals for the afternoon at a lowly 76 per cent. Defensively Bruce continued her merry way picking up a wealth of ball with 10 gains  and 10 deflections while Lewis also proved to be a ball magnet amassing six gains two of which were intercepts in her 22 minutes of court time. Price dominated for the GIANTS recording four intercepts and 16 goal assists.

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West Coast Fever 15 | 17 | 21 | 18 (71)
GIANTS Netball 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 (66)

STARTING SEVEN:

West Coast Fever:

GS: Jhaniele Fowler
GA: Alice Teague-Neeld
WA: Emma Cosh
C: Verity Charles
WD: Jess Anstiss
GD: Stacey Francis
GK: Courtney Bruce

GIANTS Netball:

GS: Jo Harten
GA: Kiera Austin
WA: Maddie Hay
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Amy Parmenter
GD: Kristiana Manu’a
GK: Sam Poolman