REWIND to 2018. It was the year of the West Coast Fever, making it all the way to the grand final but falling agonisingly short to the juggernaut that is Sunshine Coast Lightning. The Fever were one of the most dominant sides of 2018 despite being pipped at the post when it came to both the minor premiership and title. They obliterated sides thanks to Jamaican power house Jhaniele Fowler under the post and captain Courtney Bruce up the other end. The duo were arguably the biggest contributors to the side however it is hard to go past the influence of Nat Medhurst. The former Diamonds goal attack was a real playmaker across the court with her effortless feeds and pin point precision. While she did not put up a wealth of shots it was her composure, vision and impressive timing that did damage across the court. However the shock announcement of Fever not signing her for season 2019 sent many netball fans into frenzies.

So what if West Coast Fever contracted Medhurst into season 2019? Would they have won their inaugural premiership?

Given the form that they were building in 2018, it is not unfair to insinuate that the Fever once again could be at the top of the table if they retained the services of Medhurst. Her connection with Fowler was strong while her understanding with the likes of Ingrid Colyer, Verity Charles and Jess Anstiss was the key cog to their success. However, her departure left the Fever in the lurch and they struggled accordingly finishing second last on the ladder. The absence of Medhurst was well and truly felt across the court with her ball movement and ability to make space in the attacking sorely missed. It is fair to say that the classy delivery into the circle disappeared in the Fever front end with the likes of Alice Teague-Neeld and goal shooter cum goal attack Kaylia Stanton struggling to find their rhythm and dish off to Fowler. The two often over cooked the pass or were unable to identify the space Fowler was holding as opposed to their predecessor. New recruit, Teague-Neeld struggled to find her range throughout the season, while Stanton seemed out of position in goal attack given her natural shooter tendencies highlighting the further absence of Medhurst.

In terms of through the midcourt, Medhurst carried a huge load for the Fever with the talented goaler acting as a wing at times allowing Fowler to go to work under the post while she roamed around outside the circle and popped in when needed. With her skill and read of the play absent in 2019 the likes of Verity Charles and Ingrid Colyer had to lift their output but simply could not replicate the feats of 2018 with the midcourt pair lacking that extra touch of class and experience.

Could West Coast Fever have won the flag in 2019 if they had chosen to retain Nat Medhurst?