By Charlotte Knoke
The West Coast Fever dominated the Collingwood Magpies to win their round three match 80-53 and remain undefeated in the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball season.
The Fever produced a clinical performance, winning every quarter of the match.
The Magpies had a quick and confident start, and a fumble from the Fever on their first centre pass gave the Magpies possession. But Courtney Bruce was involved early, getting a deflection against Shimona Nelson, giving the Fever an opportunity to capitalise.
Verity Simmons was able to contain a wayward pass and her connection with Fever GS Jhaniele Fowler was looking as seamless as ever, as she was able to gain a goal assist from half-way down the court.
Jess Antiss was also involved early and picked up a deflection for the Fever who were able to score, and get out to a three goal lead.
A miss from Sasha Glasgow was picked up by Magpies GK Geva Mentor, but Bruce responded at the other end of the court, gaining possession for Fever once again.
Both sides’ defensive circles were looking strong and gaining a lot of ball for their teams, but the Fever were able to capitalise more than the Magpies.
The Fever maintained a three goal lead for the first 10 minutes of the first quarter, but an offside call against Fowler allowed the Magpies to claw one back, and with their centre pass to follow, they were back to within one.
Glasgow sank a supershot early, and Jess Anstiss picked up another intercept in the following Magpies centre pass. This combined with two missed supershots from Sophie Garbin gave the Fever yet another opportunity to add more scoreboard pressure, bringing their lead out to seven.
Jodi-Ann Ward was able to pick up an intercept for the Magpies, and they were able to score, as Garbin was able to sink a supershot in the final minute of the first quarter and the Magpies got back to within five.
The big run from the West Coast Fever meant they finished the first quarter 18-13.
After heading into the second quarter up by five goals, the Fever were able to put pressure on the Magpies, particularly in defence, and force the first substitution of the match. Kelly Singleton was brought onto the court as GA, and Sophie Garbin was moved to GS, sending Shimona Nelson to the bench.
A miss from Garbin from close range was picked up by the Fever who quickly transitioned into attack and capitalised.
Singleton’s first shot was rejected by Bruce and the Fever scored once again, bringing their lead out to nine.
Anstiss had a very strong game, and picked up another intercept pick-up off the Magpies’ centre pass.
Magpies coach Nicole Richardson promptly called a time-out to make some positional changes - Ash Brazill was moved from WD to C; Sophie Garbin returned to the court as GS sending Nelson to the bench; and Maddie Hinchliffe was put on as WD.
The shooting combination between Singleton and Garbin seemed to make a difference for the Magpies, showing better to-post play.
Fever midcourters Simmons and Alice Teague-Neeld had a great connection with each other and the shooters, able to feed easily and in great positions.
Rudi Ellis came on as GK for the Fever, moving Bruce out to GD and sending Aryang to the bench.
As soon as the Power Five time started in the second quarter, Glasgow scored a supershot. At the other end of the court, Singleton tried to reciprocate but missed. The Magpies were able to regain possession but Garbin also missed two supershot attempts, bringing the Fever’s lead out to 17.
Garbin was finally able to score a few supershots in the final three minutes of the quarter, but the Fever won the quarter 19-11. The half time score was 37-24 to the Fever.
The original starting line-up was brought back on for Fever to start the third quarter, as Ellis was sent off and Aryang brought back on.
Fowler had her first miss of 2023 which was picked up by the Magpies defenders, but Aryang read the game easily and picked up a clean intercept. Fowler then made amends for her missed shot.
Magpies coach Richardson said that they implemented a moving circle to try and confuse the Fever defenders.
A missed shot from Glasgow was picked up by Jodi-Ann Ward and the Magpies had a good return down the court, as the connection between Kelsey Brown and Garbin was strong.
Ward picked up a clean intercept which the Magpies were able to convert through Garbin.
Jacqui Newton was brought on as GK for the Magpies, sending Mentor to the bench to try and change up the defensive style and confuse the Fever shooters.
Newton made an impact straight away, picking up an intercept against Fowler, which Singleton was able to capitalise on.
Singleton also turned and shot with confidence right on the Power Five siren, sinking a supershot. But Sasha Glasgow almost instantly reciprocated at the other end for the Fever.
Bruce was able to get a deflection and the Fever sent the ball down the court at lightning speed, with Glasgow converting through another supershot.
Garbin nailed a supershot right on the siren at the end of the third quarter, but it wasn’t enough to impact the scoreline as the Fever led by 20 goals going into the final quarter (58-38).
To start the fourth quarter, Brazill was back on the court in WD with Hinchliffe moved into C, and Garbin was back in GA and Nelson back was on the court at GS for the Magpies.
The Fever also made some changes as Simmons was rested and Anstiss moved into C, and Emma Cosh was moved into GA as Glasgow went to the bench.
Magpies found some good rhythm early in the quarter, but it wasn’t enough to claw back the 20-goal deficit.
Fever coach Dan Ryan called a time-out just before the final Power Five where Jhaneile Fowler was moved to the bench and Glasgow was brought on as GS, to show the depth of their side.
During the Power Five, Glasgow and Garbin were responding to each other with supershots at either end of the court, but Glasgow was more accurate and Garbin’s missed shots were converted by the Fever.
The Fever were patient and confident and played a strong four-quarter game, winning by a huge 27 goals (80-53).
