West Coast Fever v Queensland Firebirds

Sunday, 3.18pm
RAC Arena
#gotgrit #FEVvFIR

Most Recent Meetings

 Round 6: Queensland Firebirds drew 62-62 with West Coast Fever at Queensland State Netball Centre
Round 12 2018: Queensland Firebirds defeated West Coast Fever 60-54 at RAC Arena
Round 5 2018: Queensland Firebirds defeated West Coast Fever 71-61 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre

The Situation

West Coast Fever and the Queensland Firebirds will be looking to finish their seasons off in the right way when they do battle at RAC Arena. Both teams have had tough seasons, with injuries to key players and five draws between them, including their heart-stopping round six 62-62 finish in Brisbane. The Firebirds are still searching for their first victory of the season, while Fever will be keen to claim their third win in their final home game of 2019 in front of their passionate crowd. Fever have had a six-day break to contend with after their Monday night round 12 loss to Collingwood, but will benefit from rare consecutive matches at home. The Firebirds have to make the big trip across the country but have had eight days since their loss to the Adelaide Thunderbirds. Fever have never beaten the Firebirds in Suncorp Super Netball and there has never been a better time to end that run.

Key Match Ups

Wing Attack v Wing Defence

Ingrid Colyer v Gabi Simpson

Colyer was one of Fever’s best in their loss to Collingwood last start with 12 goal assists, 39 feeds and 20 centre pass receives. Colyer put up similar numbers last time the teams met, though Simpson had three intercepts in a typically strong performance from the Queensland skipper. This battle will be important to the result again.

Goal Attack v Goal Defence

Alice Teague-Neeld/Kaylia Stanton v Tara Hinchliffe

Teague-Neeld didn’t get on court last time the teams met but has grown in confidence with more court time in recent weeks as Stanton has nursed a foot injury. Stanton could return this weekend, giving Stacey Marinkovich more options. Teague-Neeld and Stanton offer something different and will give rising defender Hinchliffe plenty to think about in combination with Jhaniele Fowler, who nailed 55 goals in round six.

Goal Keeper v Goal Shooter

Courtney Bruce v Romelda Aiken

Aiken’s towering presence was missing in round six but the Jamaican and Bruce are set for a mouth-watering showdown this time around. Aiken is a scoring machine but usually shares the load with the dangerous Gretel Tippett, meaning Bruce will need strong support from her Goal Defender if she is to come up with the sort of gains needed to win the match.