In their first home of the season, Fever suffered an uncharacteristic 18-goal loss to the NSW Swifts.
The Firebirds are coming off a five-goal win over the Giants, their first Suncorp Super Netball match and win under new coach Kiri Wills.
The Firebirds new look-lineup is rounded out by three new additions to the squad, Ashlee Barnett, English Rose Imogen Allison and Ugandan shooter Mary Cholhok.
During the Team Girls Cup, Fever took a convincing 15-goal win over the QLD side.
In 2024, Fever and the Firebirds each won their home games against one another. Fever took a mammoth 36-goal win in Round Five but were then downed by the QLD side in Round 11 by eight goals.
West Coast Fever Head Coach Dan Ryan will coach Fever for the 50th time this weekend, just the second coach in the Club’s history to do so.
Head-to-Head
After an impressive first game in SSN with 43 goals, Cholhok will now have to take on the defensive prowess of Kadie-Ann Dehaney. During Round One, Dehaney had three deflections and two rebounds, her on the body style will be a challenge for the 201cm shooter.
In the mid-court, Macy Gardner will face Fever captain Jess Anstiss in the centre bib. Gardner’s strength is her defensive capabilities, with six deflections in Round One. Anstiss will be looking to find ball quickly and feed through the court with clean transitions.
Young-gun second year players will make up Fever’s goal end with Olivia Wilkinson shooting against Firebird Isabelle Shearer in Goal Keeper. Wilkinson played her most minutes in an SSN game yet in Round One and shot 26 goals and three super shots.
From the Coach
Head Coach Dan Ryan said Fever needs to make sure their game is on point.
“I love working here and leading this team, it’s a really fulfilling role and I’m very honoured to be here in my fourth year for the Club,” Ryan said.
“After our performance in Round One, Firebirds will be thinking they can win this match.
“A lot of the focus will be on us and getting our game right more than anything.”
You can catch Fever take on the Firebirds in Brisbane this Saturday on Kayo Sports, Foxtel and for the first time now on Binge from 3pm WST.
