Fever managed four dominant quarters on Sunday and won the fourth quarter for just the fourth time this season.
Ryan said the lasting authority over the match was a confidence booster for the team.
“To dominate the first quarter and continue to build in the second and then sustain the work rate and the quality for the second half was really pleasing,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone expected that scoreline and that amount of goals. It certainly wasn’t what we were preparing for but the girls were on fire and absolutely loved their netball.”
Four out of the five games between Fever and the other top four teams have been decided by a single point.
Ryan said his team is aware of the skill of the other teams in the top four and acknowledged the close losses to the Vixens and Swifts will spur on his team.
“It’s so close in the top four and we reflect back on the three losses we have had by one goal to those also in the top four,” he said.
“We can’t wait for this weekend’s game against the Thunderbirds. They’ll come out absolutely firing on the back of their performance against the Vixens.
“The game could go absolutely either way and to win it both teams are going to have to play very close to their best netball for 60 minutes.”
Ryan said the key to success moving forward was for all players to turn up onto the court and play their best netball.
“You can just see the difference when all players are humming along, the power that we do have through all areas of the court,” he said.
“It's important that every single player steps on the court and executes their role for the team, whatever their role may be.”
Fever’s win over the Firebirds as well as the Vixens beating the Thunderbirds in Melbourne meant there are currently just two points separating first and fourth. The Thunderbirds and Swifts are just one draw ahead of Fever and Vixens with four games left to play.
With a trip to Adelaide this week, Ryan said his team will focus on the task ahead of them and play to their strengths.
“We’ll focus on the job at hand and doing what we need to do across the full course of the match, we can’t have any relaxed moments,” he said.
“It's time to keep grinding the gears and taking that next step forward and we can’t wait to compete on Saturday night and see how we go.”
Article By. Oliver Lane
