WEST Coast Fever survived a scare from the Adelaide Thunderbirds to secure their fourth win of their season and their first official points on the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) ladder with an eight-point win (70-62). But it was no easy feat as the Thunderbirds took it right up to the Fever playing in front of a home crowd, with fan favourite Chelsea Pitman a notable spectator.

It was a blistering first term of action from the Thunderbirds as they looked to register their first win of the 2021 season. Lenize Potgieter was simply unstoppable under the post with the South African goal shooter, controlling the rhythm in the goal circle despite being directly opposed by Australian Diamonds goal keeper and West Coast Fever star Courtney Bruce. The tussle between the two was relentless, however it was Potgieter that had the upper hand for majority of the term credit to her 14 goals straight. The move to have Georgie Horjus in her more familiar position of goal attack paid dividends as the youngster plied her trade to weave the ball through the Fever’s defence and score. Not only was she a playmaker, letting off pinpoint passes into Potgieter but also backed herself inside the circle to draw some attention.

Looking for an answer in defence, the Fever opted to bring on aspiring young talent Sunday Aryang in a hope that her speed and long arms will combat Horjus who was tearing it up in attack. Aryang replaced seasoned campaigner and English international Stacey Francis in at goal defence in the dying minutes of the term. The thunderbirds were humming in attack while their defensive efforts across the court were also noticeable as they limited the ease in which the Fever could transition the ball down the court opening up an eight-goal lead at quarter time.

But that is where it all stopped for the Thunderbirds as the Fever put their foot down in the second. Jhaniele Fowler continued her stellar form under the post sinking goal after goal and was unfazed by the changes out the front as Sasha Glasgow came on to replace Alice Teague-Neeld who was struggling to inject herself into the game only managing three goals while out on court. Glasgow had an immediate impact with her strong drives and slick footwork giving Matilda Garrett something different to think about. Meanwhile the battle between Fowler and Shamera Sterling continued to intensify.

A mini four-goal spree from the Fever was the spark they needed as they cut the margin to just four and while Adelaide re-established the buffer the home side petered off as the quarter went on. The Fever were relentless and despite the Thunderbirds tinkering with their defensive line-up as Shadine van der Merwe slotted back into goal defence and Latanya Wilson made her way onto wing defence there was no slowing the green machine. In fact by half time the scores were level credit to a huge term from the Fever.

Building on their momentum from the second term, the Fever continued their upwards trajectory in the third to pile on the scoreboard pressure. Fowler and Glasgow combined for the first two goals of the game, immediately setting the tone of the match. the workrate from Verity Charles and Jess Anstiss was key as the latter was pushed into the centre position and did not look out of place while Charles flexed her attacking muscles with her nifty high looping passes into Fowler.

Still not out of the game the Thunderbirds proved they were not afraid to ring in the changes as Elle McDonald pulled on the centre bib, replacing captain Hannah Petty as she swung into wing defence. The changes did not stop there as they looked to capitalise in the  power five with Sam Gooden injected into the action. Coming on for the final two minutes of the term the goal shooter nailed two super shots as Horjus impressed with her dead eye accuracy to keep themselves in the hunt. Aryang and Bruce were wreaking havoc though, not allowing any easy attacking movement for the home side.

With the game hanging in the balance the Thunderbirds made a couple more changes in hope to ride out the game as Maisie Nankivell got the nod in centre, moving out of wing attack, allowing McDonald to slot back into her more comfortable role. The T’birds had their chances early but their inability to capitalise cost them as the Fever rose to the occasion. Anstiss had the ball on a string through the midcourt as their settled approach allowed their strong connections to come to the fore and dominate as they notched up another win.

Fowler was sensational once again managing 55 goals from 59 attempts while Glasgow’s introduction into attack was exactly what the doctor ordered producing nine goals, 19 goal assists and an intercept. Charles and Anstiss were electric combining for 31 goal assists as Bruce had a big day out thanks to her nine gains and nine deflections. Potgieter was strong once again finishing with 25 goals from 26 attempts at 96 per cent as Horjus seemed to recapture her 2020 form thanks to her 21 goals at 80 per cent. Nankivell was key through the midcourt amassing 26 goal assists as Sterling picked up four gains and eight deflections.