West Coast Fever lost to Adelaide Thunderbirds 63-64 in a thrilling match at at Nissan Arena on Saturday night.
To celebrate the final game of the round, over 5000 fans packed RAC Arena in Perth to watch the game live on the big screens.
There was nothing slowing the world’s best goal shooter, Jhaniele Fowler, despite the double-team tactic by Thunderbirds defenders Shamera Sterling and Layla Guscoth. Fowler took some remarkable catches throughout the game as she worked hard to create leads close to the post, finishing the night with 54 goals, four rebounds.
Mid-courter Verity Charles was strong in the midcourt both in attack (42 feeds) and defence, she was well supported by wing attack Emma Cosh (33 feeds and 22 goal assists).
Captain Courtney Bruce’s second quarter efforts with five deflections, seven gains and three intercepts, spurred the team to step it up another notch just before half time. Bruce finished the game with nine deflections, six rebounds, three intercepts and 11 gains.
True to form Fever came out firing wanting to create a significant lead, they did that as they piled on seven unanswered goals. Goal attack Alice Teague-Neeld scored a Suncorp Super Shot before the quarter siren, with Fever ahead 19-13.
Goal attack Kaylia Stanton was brought on court ahead of the Rebel Power 5 in the third quarter, adding some energy to the squad and another tall option in attack to feed to Fowler. Thunderbirds scored two unanswered super shots, closing the gap between Fever, 49-47 at the last break.
Despite the strong start, Fever hung onto their lead until the last quarter. Goal defender Stacey Francis deflected a crucial ball, which edged out Fever’s lead, but Thunderbirds came back to take the win.
Captain Courtney Bruce said this outcome wouldn’t shake Fever’s preparation for finals.
“The outcome is disappointing but we knew Thunderbirds were going to come out firing, they had a lot to play for, obviously Chelsea Pitman and you want to finish your season on a high, so we knew they were going to run with us for 60 minutes,” said Bruce.
“It’s disappointing not to get over the line but it is what it is, the rounds are done, and finals are a whole new kind of games.”
