THE West Coast Fever are likely to come into season 2019 with a vengeance, ready to win back glory after a phenomenal 2018 Suncorp Super Netball season saw them pipped at the post in the grand final, with the Sunshine Coast Lightning just too good on the day.

Coach Stacey Marinkovich has signed on for a second year at the helm, while majority of the side has stayed the same with only two omissions following the end of the 2018 season in Nat Medhurst and Annika Lee-Jones. While the loss of Medhurst will likely be a big gamechanger for the side, the impressive form and influence of Jhaniele Fowler is unlikely to change, making the Fever a team to watch again this season. Newbies to the side are goal attack, Alice Teague-Neeld and training partner, Olivia Lewis.

The Fever dominated in 2018 with the likes of Fowler setting a new record for most goals scored in a season (783), while the defensive duo of Courtney Bruce and Stacey Francis took their partnership to a new level, working seamlessly to create turnovers. Jess Anstiss had a standout season in wing defence, contributing well to the formidable Fever midcourt of Ingrid Colyer and Verity Charles in attack, while Shannon Eagland will hope to break into the side with an ability to cover any midcourt position. Fever’s frontline will need to put in the hard yards this season with the loss of Medhurst’s experience in attack.

A big question mark hovering over the Fever in 2019 will regard the shooting circle given the loss of Medhurst, with ex-Collingwood shooter, Teague-Neeld stepping into her shoes at goal attack. Medhurst was a gamechanger in 2018, adapting the goal attack role to fit with the style of Fowler and working seamlessly in the circle, putting up shots when she saw fit. Teague-Neeld may play a similar game to Medhurst, however will need to boost her confidence to put shots to post when Fowler is covered, and will also need to improve her attack work outside the circle to feed into the ring. Kaylia Stanton will hope to break into the side as a regular this season, but as a goal shooter will need to adapt her play style to battle for the goal attack bib alongside Teague-Neeld.

With opposition teams catching on to the Fever’s gameplan towards the end of the 2018 season, the Fever will need to adapt their style and find a way to bring their goal attack into the game, or else suffer a loss comparative to their grand final performance.