The West Coast Fever have outclassed the Melbourne Vixens to secure a preliminary final appearance against the NSW Swifts.
Capping off a massive weekend of netball that attracted record breaking crowds, with a combined 18, 905 fans in attendance marking the largest first weekend of finals in Suncorp Super Netball history.
It was a tough match in Perth with the reigning premiers breaking away from their opponents in the final quarter to win 64 to 57.
Goal for goal early, the Fever were first to blink with a wayward ball giving the Melbourne Vixens the opportunity to lead. Vixen Mwai Kumwenda seized that opportunity with both hands and put her team in front.
Clinical movement from the Vixens attack end and confident feeding from Kate Moloney enabled the Vixens to lead by three early, however, Sunday Aryang was quick to take advantage of the Vixen’s first mistake to narrow the margin heading into the Power Five.
Another perfectly timed moment from Aryang then gave the Fever the spark they needed with Sasha Glasgow claiming the first Suncorp Super Shot of the game and putting the Fever in front.
Aryang was out hunting for the ball early.Emily Mannix said anything you can do I can do as she got in front of Jhaniele Fowler, however, down the other end Fever captain Courtney Bruce prevented the Vixens from capitalising.
A goal down to start the second quarter, the Vixens were dealt a blow with Jo Weston not taking to the court after an ankle injury she sustained late in the first.
The finals nerves started to show for both sides in the opening minutes of the second with the ball seesawing between ends.
The Vixens were able to take advantage of an error from the Fever though and establish a two-goal lead at the quarter’s halfway point.
However, the Fever pressure cooker lifted in intensity forcing an uncharacteristic held ball from Vixens co-captain Liz Watson allowing them to bounce back and take the lead.
It wasn’t for long though with Vixen Kiera Austin stealing the lead back with a Suncorp Super Shot, however, Fever’s Sasha Glasgow then did the same for the Fever moments later.
Bruce made the Vixens pay with a commanding rebound after the side played the ball around trying to get in range for a Super Shot allowing the home side to push out their lead.
At the end of a competitive first half the Fever having taken the most of their opportunities to turn gains into goals led by two at the halftime break.
In front of their home crowd the Fever continued to trot along comfortably to start the third, however, the Vixens stuck with them executing the basics to keep scores from blowing out.
Mannix came off the court following a knock with Weston then coming back on. Amongst all the movement in their defence end, Liv Lewis announced her presence with a crucial gain narrowing the Fever’s lead.
The Vixens continued to fight their way through the match.Evenly matched across the court, the game settled into a rhythm with the sides trading goals heading into the Power Five.
Another missed Super Shot from the Vixens and it was déjà vu with Bruce rebounding and the Fever scoring, however, it was not an easy path to goal with the Vixens defending every pass.
Glasgow slotted a Super Shot to apply some scoreboard pressure on the Vixens and then tipped the ball to her teammates’ advantage allowing them to quickly escape to a six-goal lead.
Austin confidently dropped a Super Shot for the Vixens and a rebound from Weston gave the Vixens an opportunity, however, they were unable to convert.
It was still anyone's game heading into the final quarter with only four goals separating the sides.
With finals on the line, both sides continued to grind down the opposition with consistent efforts and carefully calculated passes.
Calm across the court, goal for goal heading into the Power Five with just three goals the difference the time to make an impact well and truly arrived.
Austin put her hand up for the Vixens scoring a clutch Super Shot to bring the margin back to two, a missed Fever goal and suddenly the visitors looked dangerous.
However, it was Fever captain Bruce who stole the show in the dying minutes with two massive defensive efforts accompanied by sharp shooting from Fowler sealing the victory for the Fever.
Next week will be do-or-die once again as the Fever enter enemy territory against a fired up NSW Swifts.
