THE Grand Final rematch between West Coast Fever and Sunshine Coast Lightning was always set to be a big match as both sides came into Round 2 with a loss opening their season, however no one would have expected the 25-goal victory outcome as Lightning outclassed Fever at every opportunity.

The heavily Fever-based crowd held the match in high stead for their first home game for the season, but the new-look Lightning side was quick to take control with the likes of Peace Proscovia holding strong in goal shooter. Without the likes of captain and dominant goal keeper, Courtney Bruce down back due to an arm injury, the inexperienced Fever side quickly fell apart as the Lightning took off and did not look back. Jhaniele Fowler was fortunately cleared to play this match after a rolled ankle in Round 1.

Fever’s phenomenal 2018 form seems to be in the past now, as the side struggled in attack with little to no help in the goal circle as Fowler (51 goals from 55 attempts at 93 per cent) was forced to bear the brunt of defensive pressure, with the likes of fellow shooters, Alice Teague-Neeld and Kaylia Stanton struggling to put up shots. Fever’s start to the season looks disastrously similar to the Magpies’ attacking woes throughout 2017 and 2018, having difficulty working their goal attack into the game. Defensively, the Fever struggled without Bruce commanding the circle, hunting the ball and shutting down attacking efforts. Steph Wood (18 goals from 20 attempts) was dominant for Lightning, opening up space for Proscovia (48 from 54 at 90 per cent) who was dominant at the post and too tall and strong for the likes of Stacey Francis, Shannon Eagland and Olivia Lewis. The defensive trio struggled to control entries to the circle credit to the dominance, speed and pinpoint passes of Lightning centre, Laura Langman. With the Lightning attackers dynamic and classy through the midcourt, Fever Coach, Stacey Marinkovich made the decision to move Francis out to wing defence in an effort to shut down the likes of Laura Scherian. However, what was a good idea in theory, it ultimately meant the strongest and most experienced circle defender was not in the circle, further allowing Wood and Proscovia to take charge in attack.

A 22 goal to 10 second quarter all but cemented a win for the Lightning as the Fever looked visibly shaken on court, denied a timeout at a pivotal point midway through the term and struggling to push back against the Lightning. Karla Pretorius and Phumza Maweni put on the accelerator in the second quarter, picking up a combined six gains and five intercepts and forcing Teague-Neeld to the bench as they denied entry into the goal circle. The pair were phenomenal limiting Fowler to only nine goals for the term as Fever’s midcourt struggled to get the ball through the centre third, while the combined efforts of Teague-Neeld and Stanton saw the pair only shoot four goals from 11 attempts, all credit to Stanton. Langman was just too good for Verity Charles in centre, forcing a change by Fever with Jess Anstiss transitioned up court into centre in hope to provide that spark across the court. Despite some good work by Anstiss in attack, the reduced amount of her brand of defensive pressure did not do Fever any favours, seeing the Lightning continue to dominate throughout the second half and building on their strong lead. Lightning easily outplayed Fever, finding space and opportunity to take advantage of their depth on the bench, with the likes of Cara Koenen, Annika Lee-Jones and Jacqui Russell taking the court in the final quarter.

Unfortunately for the Fever, their loss over the weekend all but proves that the Fowler show does not work without the intensity, experience and skill of a goal attack the likes of Nat Medhurst. Meanwhile, Lightning proved they can get the job done, despite losing dominant players across the court at the end of 2018.

In Round 3 Fever have another big match as they travel to take on an in-form NSW Swifts who have won their past two matches, while Lightning host Queensland Firebirds.