In front of 8,832 Friday Night Netty fans, Fever fought hard to win the key moments in the final quarter after scores were level at three-quarter-time.
Q1 Fever 20 | Thunderbirds 14
The match kicked off with some keen friendly rivalry, international teammates embracing being turned into opposition.
Kadie-Ann Dehaney’s presence could be felt all over the court, notching four deflections for the quarter and putting plenty of pressure on Romelda Aiken-George.
Alice Teague-Neeld showed off her versatility with a sensational intercept and feeding work into Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard. Despite having to work her way through both Latanya Wilson and Matilda Garrett, Fowler-Nembhard scored 18 goals for the first term.
Shanice Beckford finished off Fever’s strong first quarter with a super shot.
Q2 Fever 36 | Thunderbirds 32
Beckford’s pocket rocket tendencies became clear during the second quarter, stealing an intercept, a deflection and a goal.
Fowler-Nembhard continued to build with 15 goals for the quarter as the side sat four goals ahead at half-time.
Q3 Fever 51 | Thunderbirds 51
The Thunderbirds came out hunting in the third quarter, with the strength of Lauren Frew’s super shot not only putting the Thunderbirds level, but ahead for the first time in the match.
Another intercept from Teague-Neeld lead to a crucial goal, alongside the integral defensive pressure from Fran Williams and Dehaney.
With momentum growing, Fowler-Nembhard found her moment from long range with a super shot on the buzzer to bring both teams to an even 51.
Q4 Fever 68 v Thunderbirds 63
Hearts were pumping and the crowd were roaring as both sides went into the final quarter levelled.
Captain Jess Anstiss stole an intercept and pickup to the absolute delight of the Green Army.
Fever continued to push in the hard moments with Fowler-Nembhard securing a 100 per cent accuracy rate for last quarter as the team steadily built to their five-goal win.
Fever will now travel to the Queensland to take on the Sunshine Coast Lightning in their efforts to secure a tenth straight win.
