Moments that Mattered
After quarter time, the Thunderbirds came out looking like a different team, ramping up their defensive pressure across the court, led by Goal Keeper Shamera Sterling.
Quarter by Quarter
Q1: WCF 20 | THU 12
Fever lost Verity Simmons due to COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols, she was replaced by Jordan Cransberg in the team.
The visitors started strongly to silence the Adelaide crowd, building a six-goal lead heading into Power 5 off the back of strong defensive pressures across the court.
Even an early Super Shot from Georgie Horjus couldn’t stop Fever as they continued to control the game and build on their solid start.
Fever had three Deflections and three Intercepts for the quarter which was the catalyst for an eight goal lead at the break.
Q2: WCF 31 | THU 26
Both sides ramped up the defensive pressure in the second quarter as Shamera Sterling made her presence felt helping to reduce the Fever lead to seven at half time.
She finished the quarter with five Gains and four Deflections, making life especially tough for the Fever attack.
Captain Courtney Bruce was also crucial in defence with two Gains, two Deflections and two Rebounds for the quarter.
Sasha Glasgow continued her hot hand, sinking two Super Shots to ensure Fever maintained a lead at the main change.
Q3: WCF 41 | THU 39
Thunderbirds continued to put defensive pressure on Fever as they controlled the third quarter, reducing the Fever lead to three goals at Power 5.
Sterling, Wilson and Williams made it difficult for Fever to get easy shots on goal.
Sunday Aryang and Jess Anstiss had great quarters for Fever in defence creating three Gains and two Intercepts between them.
Q4: WCF 53 | THU 54
The game ebbed and flowed in the final quarter as both sides put significant defensive heat on their opposition.
Eleanor Caldwell scored two Super Shots to give the Thunderbird the lead and from there the Fever were up against it.
A late Super Shot from Glasgow reduced the margin to one but the Thunderbirds controlled the final minute, milking the clock and denying Fever the ball.
Stats
Goals: Fowler 51 | Caldwell 29
Super Shots: Glasgow 5 | Caldwell 3
Goal Assists: J Cransberg 17 | Horjus 20
Feeds: Teague-Neeld 24 | Horjus 30
Centre Pass Receives: Teague-Neeld 25 | Horjus 19
Deflections: Bruce 6 | Sterling 7
Gains: Bruce 5 | Sterling 9
Intercepts: Bruce & Glasgow 2 | Wilson 2
