Fever flourish against gigantic challenge
WEST Coast Fever returned to their premiership-winning form after a dominant 72-61 win over GIANTS Netball who challenged the Fever’s lead in the first half. The Fever now move to second on the ladder and challenge for a major semi-final position, crucial in earning a second chance if they fall short in the semi-final.
The home side found an inability to close out games this season and find themselves in numerous one goal victories or losses. They proved everyone wrong by winning all four quarters which slowly but surely extended their lead at every break, compared to the one goal victory they had over the GIANTS previously in Round 2.
The Fever took an early lead heading into the first break, but some late super shots from the visitors pegged the lead back from seven to three right before quarter time.
It was a close first half with both sides having little flurries of three goal runs. As the Fever started to extend their lead, the GIANTS would fight right back in and peg back the lead to as small as two in the second term.
It was the third quarter that disappointed the GIANTS getting outscored 21 – 15 off the hand of some quiet and inaccurate shooting. They ended the game with 71 percent shooting accuracy which was ultimately what let them down the most.
It was captains game through and through with Courtney Bruce putting out a defensive display taking home player of the match honours in the Fever’s last home game of the season. Bruce was everywhere in the circle with nine gains, nine deflections, three intercepts and three rebounds. She was able to box out her shooters and earn herself front position on the rebounds while also coming from behind and catching the GIANTS shooters off guard.
It was a game of woes for 150 gamer Jamie-Lee Price who wanted to remember her lustrous milestone, but was hoping for a closer outing and potentially shake up the finals positions even further. Arguably the best centre in the competition, she had a point to prove up against Verity Simmons who kicked it up a notch in the last few weeks and that battle was fairly even.
It was a game to forget for Jhaniele Fowler (61 goals) who was rattled by Lauren Moore the whole game. Moore caused six turnovers from Fowler while picking off two intercepts and two deflections, a reward for her latest efforts earning herself the starting keeper position for the GIANTS in the latter half of the season.
The GIANTS incapability to finish it off at the post is what disappointed them the most off the hand of some good defence in all four quarters.
The Fever will travel to Launceston next week ahead of the Collingwood Magpies who will play their last ever Suncorp Super Netball game as the Fever are wanting to maintain that second spot. The GIANTS will face off against the Melbourne Vixens next week who are most likely going to be in the minor semi-final but finishing in third or fourth still to be determined.
Player of the Match = Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever)
WEST COAST FEVER 19 | 18 | 21 | 14 (72)
GIANTS NETBALL 16 | 17 | 15 | 13 (61)
STARTING SEVENS
West Coast Fever
GS: Jhaniele Fowler
GA: Sasha Glasgow
WA: Alice Teague-Neeld
C: Verity Simmons
WD: Jess Anstiss
GD: Sunday Aryang
GK: Courtney Bruce
GIANTS Netball
GS: Jo Harten
GA: Sophie Dwyer
WA: Maddie Hay
C: Jamie-Lee Price
WD: Amy Parmenter
GD: April Brandley
GK: Lauren Moore
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