Fever have kept their perfect record intact after their 36-goal win against the Queensland Firebirds, their fifth win from five games.
The Firebirds clash saw Dan Ryan implement some new combinations across the court, young gun Olivia Wilkinson made the crowd roar with her 15 goals, five of those being supershots.
In a heartwarming moment for the Green Army, 11th player Ruth Aryang made her SSN debut, playing alongside older sister Sunday. Ruth didn’t debut quietly, managing two deflections and an intercept.
The Thunderbirds are coming off their fourth win for the season, and currently sit third on the ladder. The teams met twice in 2023, with both games decided by one-goal.
Head-to-Head
International teammates will turn rivals in the goal circle as two of the Thunderbirds Sunshine Girls Shamera Sterling-Humphrey will attempt to stop the shooting abilities of Shanice Beckford and Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.
Fever’s defence will be strong in the Thunderbirds’ goal end as Fever’s in-form defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney looks to shut down Romelda Aiken- George.
Thunderbird Goal Attack Lauren Frew will need to have quick reflexes as she takes on Sunday Aryang and Fran Williams who is currently leading the league in defensive rebounds.
Latanya Wilson will be focused on shutting down Alice Teague-Neeld’s influence on the contest as she currently leads the league for goal assists.
From the Court
Head Coach Dan Ryan said Fever are excited to come up against the defending champions.
“Statistically we’re the best attacking team and they’re the best defensive team so strategy, skills and individual matchups are going to be important,” he said.
“I think the Jamaicans are going to love going head-to-head, six of them on the court is going to be ferocity and flare everywhere, they’re as good friends as they are rivals.”
Details
Fever v Thunderbirds
5:00pm AWST, Saturday 18 May 2024
RAC Arena
Watch here
