Last Week
Fever successfully took on the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Queensland, leaving 74-64 winners.
A dominant first half gave Fever a 13-goal advantage at the main break and they were able to hold on by capitalising on mistakes made by the Lightning.
Fever excelled at either end of the court with Jhaniele Fowler scoring 65 Goals from as many attempts. The defensive duo of Sunday Aryang and Courtney Bruce had 10 Deflections and six Intercepts between them.
In Melbourne, the Vixens came back from a half time deficit to defeat the Queensland Firebirds 72-60.
Despite the Firebirds leading by nine goals midway through the third quarter, it was all Vixens from that point on as the Melbourne-based side went on an eight-goal run to get themselves back in the game.
A 25-goal fourth quarter from the Vixens meant they ended the day well in the lead, thanks to a starring performance by Australian Captain Liz Watson, who contributed 33 Goal Assists and 49 Feeds.
Match Ups
The midcourt battle between the in-form Alice Teague-Neeld and Liz Watson could be pivotal.
Fever Wing Attack Teague-Neeld leads the competition in both Goal Assists and Centre Pass Receives but Watson is hot on her heals with 163 Goals Assists.
Former Fever player Olivia Lewis didn’t have a large impact on the game when the teams met in Round One but the Goal Keeper has been getting regular game time, playing full matches in the Vixen’s last two games opposed to Firebird Donnell Wallam and Swift Romelda Aiken-George.
Will a more experienced Lewis be able to rattle Fowler and Sasha Glasgow in the circle or will the Fever attack be able to continue their good form shown throughout the competition?
Last Time They Met
Round 1, 2023 – Fever 62 defeated Vixens 61
Fever and Vixens got their season off to a thrilling start in a replay of last year’s Grand Final. It was Fowler who scored the winning goal in the dying seconds of the game.
After a strong opening term, Fever kept the Vixens at bay ensuring their lead remained at least seven goals throughout the whole game.
The Vixens lifted in the final quarter and drew level but a clutch Glasgow Super Shot with just over a minute to go allowed Fever just enough breathing room to sneak home with the win.
Stats and Facts
The game could see a trio of season milestones for the Fever with Fowler only four goals away from reaching 400 goals for the season.
Instrumental to Fowler’s prowess has been Teague-Neeld who herself could pass 200 Goal Assists and Centre Pass Receives on Sunday at John Cain Arena.
The Round 8 match will form part of Suncorp Super Netball Inclusion Round.
Fever and Vixens will come together to champion the message “Everyone Belongs,” an initiative focussing on LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse communities as well as people with a disability.
Both teams will wear special warm up tops with individualised messages promoting inclusivity selected by each athlete.
John Cain Arena will host an array of activities and features promoting inclusivity, including an Australian Sign Language interpreter being broadcast on the big screen throughout the game.
Match Details
Fever v Vixens
John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Sunday, 7 May 2023
First Pass 12pm WST
Watch Live and Free on Kayo Freebies
