Last Week
Fever prevailed in a tough matchup against the Melbourne Vixens last week at RAC Arena, winning by seven goals in a game that could have gone either way.
Vixens took the first lead after the game initially went on centre pass. Fever were determined to stay in the contest and brought the score back in their favour by quarter time.
The second term only saw three breaks in centre pass, as both teams hussled hard for control of the ball.
Despite building a six-goal lead late in the third quarter, the Vixens looked like staging an impressive comeback and brought the margin back to two goals with three minutes to play.
Enter Fever Captain Courtney Bruce, who pulled out an Intercept and Defensive Rebound, which was enough to hold off the Vixens and allowed the home team to march into the Preliminary Final
In Sydney, the Swifts lost to the Adelaide Thunderbirds in an exciting affair which went to extra time.
The pressure of finals was clear as both teams made mistakes early in the game as turnovers were abundant.
With her team down by one goal and just 12 seconds left on the clock, Lucy Austin had the chance to win the game with a Super Shot but missed.
It seemed the Swifts were a certainty to win the game but a heroic Intercept by Tayla Williams gave the Thunderbirds hope in the dying seconds as Austin sunk a mid-range shot to equalise on the buzzer.
In extra time, Cardwell was able to put through two Super Shots and ensure her team went home winners by two goals.
Match Ups
Sunday Aryang and Bruce were exceptional in defence against the Vixens with nine gains between them. Bruce also recorded an incredible 15 Deflections over the match, six better than her previous season best. Both Aryang and Bruce will need to be at the top of their game when they face Swifts and England shooter Helen Housby who has been in hot form this season.
Bruce also highlighted her match up against Romelda Aiken-George when she spoke after the Vixens game. The Jamaican shooter has the most Offensive Rebounds in the league with 78 which will make for an interesting battle for control in the circle.
Verity Simmons will be in for an intriguing battle in the centre court with her counterpart Maddy Proud, who has had a strong 2023 which has resulted in World Cup selection.
Season’s Meetings
Round 4, 2023, Ken Rosewall Arena – Fever 78 defeated Swifts 67
Fever made it four wins from as many games when they overcame the Swifts in Sydney with an 11-goal win.
Despite the Swifts getting off to a strong start they were not able to withstand the Fever pressure across the court, especially from Bruce who racked up five Gains in the first half.
With scores level at half time, Fever went on the offensive and pushed out their lead to eight goals. The effort was helped by Kim Jenner, who was able to shut down the influence of Housby as well as Alice Teague-Neeld who was very effective in finding Jhaniele Fowler and Sasha Glasgow in the circle.
Fever were able to maintain their dominant lead in the final term and not give the Swifts a whiff of a comeback as they finished off the game strongly.
Round 9, 2023, RAC Arena – Fever 64 defeated by Swifts 65
Fever were faced with difficult circumstances in their one-goal loss to the Swifts as both Vice Captain Jess Anstiss and Goal Attack Sasha Glasgow were ruled out of the squad due to COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols.
The match did provide an opportunity for Jordan Cransberg to debut and for Natalie Butler to return to Suncorp Super Netball.
Despite the changed line up, Fever stuck with the Swifts for the entire game and did not let a second quarter Swifts lead blow out.
Fever swung back momentum their way before half time and they and took their lead out to six goals mid-way through the third quarter.
From there the Swifts were able to claw their way back and equalised at the start of the final term. A final turnover sealed the game for the visiting side as Aiken-George sunk the winner on the buzzer.
Stats and Facts
The Preliminary Final will mark Jhaniele Fowler’s 150th game in the National League. Fowler has spent the last five years at Fever after moving from the Southern Steel at the creation of SSN. The 198-centimetre shooter has scored 7,771 Goals in her National League career.
In Fever’s first game against the Swifts this year Teague-Neeld recorded 46 Feeds and 32 Goal Assists. Her ability to find Fowler in the circle will be crucial in how Fever can play their high scoring netball.
Match Details
Preliminary Final
NSW Swifts v West Coast Fever
Qudos Bank Arena
5pm WST, Saturday 1 July
Catch West Coast Fever in the Preliminary Final against the NSW Swifts FREE on Kayo Freebies
