Last Week
Fever fell just short against an in-form NSW Swifts side 64-65 at home as Fever’s opposition once again scored the winning shot in the last seconds of the game.
Some late changes for the Fever saw the return of Nat Butler and debutant Jordan Cransberg, who replaced Jess Anstiss and Sasha Glasgow, both forced out of the squad due to COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols.
After conceding an early lead, Fever were able to get themselves back in the game by half time and built a six-goal lead midway through the third quarter.
Swifts Goal Attack Helen Housby kept her side in the game with 10 Super Shots throughout the match. A late turnover saw the Swifts able to hold up play and find Romelda Aiken-George to put through the match winning goal with just a second left on the clock.
The Firebirds travelled to Adelaide and faced the top of the table Thunderbirds and put up a good fight until a fourth quarter onslaught saw the South Australian side come out 63-46 victors.
The first three quarters of the game were tight but defensive pressure from the Thunderbirds ultimately meant Firebirds Goal Shooter Donnell Wallam had to go for the Super Shots to get her team back in the contest.
A stellar performance by Goal Keeper Shamera Sterling including 10 Gains and nine Deflections to ensure the Thunderbirds continued their strong season.
Match Ups
A number of Fever players will be facing their old club with Verity Simmons, Kim Jenner and Rudi Ellis all having played for the Queensland outfit. Will they be able to get the jump on their former side?
Firebirds Goal Keeper Remi Kamo is coming off the back of a productive game against the Thunderbirds with seven Gains and three Rebounds to her name. She will have to contend with the returning Sasha Glasgow who will be looking to restamp her authority in the front half after missing last week’s loss to the Swifts.
Last Time they Met
Round 5, 2023 – Fever 73 defeated Firebirds 71
Despite a dominant first half for Fever, a fightback from the Firebirds ensured the game came down to the wire.
Fever drove the margin out to 15 goals halfway through the third quarter with Verity Simmons and Alice Teague-Neeld finding the ever-present Fowler.
A late push from the Firebirds and successive Super Shots from WA-born Wallam in the dying stages of the game meant Fever’s fans were made to hold their breath till the final buzzer.
Stats and Facts
This is Fever’s first back-to-back home game this season as the Perth side will hope less travel will play into their hands in the back half of the season.
Jhaniele Fowler should reach 500 Goals for the season this weekend as she currently sits on 499. Given she scored 60 Goals last time out against the Firebirds, we will see the Jamaican Shooter edge closer to the 5,000 career goal milestone, needing just 131 more.
Last time the sides met, Fever were very effective in finding their players in the circle with 96 Feeds, the side’s second most of the competition. Fever found many ways into scoring opportunities with Teague-Neeld, Simmons and Glasgow all recording more than 20 Feeds each.
Match Preview By Oliver Lane
