The Thunderbirds put the foot down in the Power Five period of the Third Quarter to extend their lead to 13 goals at three-quarter-time on the way to a 72-58 victory.
In front of Fever’s biggest ever pre-season crowd of more than 2,000 fans, Fever tested a range of combination during the final hit out against an SSN opponent before Round One.
Fever started the game strongly with Sasha Glasglow providing a great option in attack, Simmons using her speed through the midcourt and Dehaney controlled the defence.
Leading by one at the start of Power Five, the Thunderbirds lifted, creating turnovers and outscoring the Fever with two supershots to Glasglow’s one to go into the first break up by two goals.
Thunderbirds controlled the second quarter as their defence created turnovers and their attack took advantage as they extended their advantage to seven at the start of Power Five.
Fever ignited after a Dehaney rebound from a supershot miss lifted the home side.
Glasgow then went berserk. The returning star scored three supershots to help Fever reduce the margin to four at the main change.
The opening stages of the third were a tight battle as both sides tried to find an advantage until the Thunderbirds controlled the Power Five period.
The combination of Thunderbirds supershots and Fever misses saw the Thunderbirds gain control of the match.
The night before, the Thunderbirds were too strong, recording a 70 to 61 win in front of a capacity crowd at Evolution Mining Stadium in Kalgoorlie.
West Coast Fever would like to acknowledge Principal Partner the Gold Industry Group and the WA Government through the Department of Cultural Industries, Tourism and Sport for their support in bringing elite netball back to the Goldfields.
Game One
Fever 60 defeated by Thunderbirds 71
Game Two
Fever 58 defeated Thunderbirds 72
