in Match Reports

Fever victorious against fast-paced Firebirds

10 APR 2022

West Coast Fever remain undefeated after the opening three rounds of the Suncorp Super Netball season after claiming a solid 77-69 victory over a determined Queensland Firebirds outfit at Nissan Arena in Brisbane.

After trailing by two points at half time following an intense start to the game, Fever dominated the third quarter and out-scored the Firebirds by nine points, setting up a winning lead that was sealed with continued pressure across the court in the final term.

Key Moments

The Firebirds looked set to build a double-figure lead heading into half time, with Gretel Bueta and Donell Wallam proving difficult to stop in the attacking circle, before Sasha Glasgow and Jhaniele Fowler turned the momentum in Fever’s favour with three timely Suncorp Super Shots between them.

Fever carried this energy into the second half and took control of the contest, with Courtney Bruce recording seven gains and five intercepts to lead from defence, while Glasgow celebrated her 50th National League game with 25 assists and 17 goals, including 7 Suncorp Super Shots. Jhaniele Fowler notched up 52 goals, including one Super Shot.

Alice Teague-Neeld remained unavailable for the match due to Covid-19 Health and Safety Protocols, seeing Chelsea Pitman elevated to the squad of 10. She entered the game in the second half and played an important role, recording 12 assists from 18 feeds.

Quarter By Quarter

1st – WCF 18 | QLD 18

The Firebirds got off to a fast start, scoring the first three goals before Sasha Glasgow responded for Fever. Intercepts to Courtney Bruce and Stacey Francis-Bayman at the defensive end helped Fever work their way back into the contest and level the scores mid-way through the quarter. A pair of Suncorp Super Shots to Donell Wallam saw the Firebirds push ahead before Glasgow replied and Fowler added her 15th goal to see both sides even at the first break.

2nd – WCF 16 | QLD 18

Fowler and Wallam continued trading goals in the second quarter and scores remained even until a timeout heading into power time. Rudi Ellis entered the game at GK, seeing Courtney Bruce move out to GD and Sunday Aryang to WD, but the Firebirds kept pushing hard and gathered momentum to move ahead by 6 points. Two late Super Shots to Glasgow and one to Fowler helped stem the flow and reduce the margin to 2 points at half time 36-34.

3rd – WCF 23 | QLD 14

Verity Simmons started the third quarter at Centre and Chelsea Pitman entered the contest at Wing Attack, helping Fever with their experience and precise passing into the attacking third. Fowler continued converting her side’s hard work into goals and Fever moved ahead by 3 points halfway through the quarter. Continued defensive pressure, including a great intercept by Bruce, and another 2 Super Shots to Glasgow and 16 goals for the quarter from Fowler saw Fever’s lead increase to 7 points.

4th – WCF 20 | QLD 19

Bruce set the tone for the fourth quarter with a huge intercept as Fever continued applying great pressure at both ends of the court to maintain their advantage through to the power five. Fever remained composed and kept the scoreboard ticking over and with Glasgow scoring her seventh Super Shot and Fowler finishing with 52 goals, Fever ran out 77-69 winners.