West Coast Fever celebrated captain Courtney Bruce’s 100th game with a hard-fought win against Collingwood Magpies in Round 2 of the Suncorp Super Netball Season at John Cain Arena.
Bruce played a starring role in her milestone match with 8 gains, 7 deflections, 4 rebounds and an intercept despite a nervous moment for Fever fans in the second quarter when she landed heavily on her ankle contesting a ball in the defensive circle.
Fever lead comfortably in the first half before the Magpies out-scored them in the third quarter and reduced the margin to eight mid-way through the fourth.
But Fever showed great resilience and re-focused to stay in control and secure a 70-53 victory.
Key Moments
Alice Teague-Neeld was ruled out on the morning of the game under Covid-19 health and safety protocols, seeing Zoe Cransberg step in from the extended squad and Emma Cosh start at Wing Attack, where she made a solid contribution with 9 assists from 13 feeds in the first half.
When Courtney Bruce landed awkwardly on her ankle in the second quarter it appeared her 100th game could be over prematurely but fortunately she was able to return to the game after receiving treatment and play a key role in the win with several match-defining defensive efforts.
Quarter By Quarter
1st – F 19 | M 9
Collingwood got away to an early three-goal lead before Fever levelled mid-way through the quarter after Jhaniele Fowler converted a sensational long-range feed from Verity Simmons. With Cosh and Sasha Glasgow also getting creative, Fever pushed ahead by five heading into the power five. Hard work and a Suncorp Super Shot from Glasgow helped Fever move ahead by 10 at quarter time.
2nd – F 20 | M 13
Collingwood came out firing to start the second quarter and closed the margin to six before Fever took a timeout to settle and reclaim a 10-goal advantage. With Bruce and Aryang applying excellent pressure in defence to intercept feeds and block shots, Fever extended their lead to 13. Bruce rolled her ankle with only minutes remaining, seeing Rudi Ellis enter at the game Goal Keeper as Fever closed out the quarter 39-22 in front.
3rd – F 14 | M 17
Bruce returned for the third quarter after receiving treatment while Francis-Bayman entered the game at Wing Defence with Jess Anstiss moving to Centre and Simmons to Wing Attack. Fever continued attacking, with Glasgow on target as she and Fowler both added 5 goals each heading into the power five. Collingwood made the most of the final minutes with Sophie Garbin draining three Suncorp Super Shots to help the Magpies out-score Fever for the quarter and see the scoreboard read 53-39 at three-quarter time.
4th – F 17 | M 14
The Magpies continued their momentum in the fourth quarter with Garbin and Shimona Nelson both effective in attack, seeing the home side reduce Fever’s lead to 8 with five minutes remaining. Fever showed their grit to stem the flow and regain control with some important defensive efforts and creative attacking moves swinging the match back in their favour for a 70-53 win.
By the Numbers
Goals: Fowler 58 | Nelson 36
Super Shots: Glasgow 2 | Garbin 3
Goal Assists: Glasgow 22 | Browne 17
Feeds: Simmons 36 | Browne 35
Centre Pass Receives: Cosh & Simmons 13 | Browne 22
Pick Ups: Anstiss 3 | Brazill 3
Deflections: Bruce 7 | Ward 3
Gains: Bruce 8 | Brazill 3
Intercepts: Anstiss, Aryang, Bruce, Simmons 1 | Brazill, Brown, Ward 2
