Clinical Fever prevail over Swifts

By Charlotte Knoke

The West Coast Fever defeated the New South Wales Swifts by seven goals, showcasing a dominant display throughout the match. It was a close game to start with, but the Fever put their foot down and won the first three quarters which allowed them to seal the much-needed win following their huge loss to the Adelaide Thunderbirds last week.

With both teams coming off the back of disappointing losses in Round 9, the West Coast Fever by a whopping 18 goals and the NSW Swifts but just two, both the sides came out firing with a point to prove. 

The Fever quickly scored to start the match and with an early rebound from Fran Williams the home side quickly found themselves with a three-goal lead. However, an offensive contact on Shanice Beckford gave the Swifts the opportunity to even things out.

There was a bit of back and forth of possession between both teams, and the Fever had a short run of goals and they found themselves with a solid five-goal advantage. However, the Swifts were able to claw back their deficit with a run of their own.

The first Power Five period saw both teams attacking the two-point shot, with all four shooters on court attempting at least one supershot. Sophie Fawns and Helen Housby both landed a few two-pointers each for the Swifts, while Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard sank one for the Fever.

To end the first quarter, the Fever found themselves slightly in front with the score sitting at 17-15.

The Fever had a strong start to the second quarter, with the home side scoring multiple goals in quick succession after some small errors from the Swifts meant they gave up possession. The team in green extended their lead out to eight goals within the first five minutes of the quarter.

After a tactical timeout called by Swifts head coach Briony Akle, the visitors make a swap in their shooting circle, moving Housby back to goal shooter and Fawns out to goal attack, to try and create something different for them.

A few more uncharacteristic errors from the NSW side allowed the Fever to continue ticking away on the scoreboard and extend their lead out yet again.

The Swifts tried to capitalise during the second Power Five period, and Housby did sink a few two-point shots, but the Fever were just too strong and had too much of a lead for the visitors to close the gap.

The Fever ended the first half up by 10 goals, 41-31.

The Swifts started the third quarter with a few more errors, and the Fever edged out their lead further early in the period.

A deflection from Maddy Turner was critically important for the Swifts, and they were able to convert and shift the momentum slightly in their favour. However, Williams tipped and then picked up a ball and the Fever regained possession and scored.

Fawns landed an essential supershot to start the third Power Five period, and she went on to sink another few two-pointers to try and claw back their deficit.

Meanwhile, the Fever were happy to just keep the scoreboard ticking over with one-point shots through the hands of Fowler-Nembhard.

The West Coast side were able to hold onto their lead at the end of the third quarter, with the score sitting at 58-47.

Both teams started the fourth quarter going goal-for-goal, but it was an intercept from Alice Teague-Neeld that disrupted the flow. The Fever found themselves out to a 14-goal lead and the home side continued their clinical gameplay to get to post.

An offensive contact gave the visitors possession and they capitalised with a supershot, and the Swifts had no choice but to go for the supershot in the final Power Five period.

The Swifts had an extremely strong end to the game and they were successful in nailing multiple supershots through both Fawns and Housby, but their deficit was just too big for them to claw back.

In the end, the Fever sealed the win by seven goals, defeating the Swifts 78-71.

Fowler-Nembhard was rock-solid for the West Coast side, and she was named Player of the Match after scoring an incredible 75 goals throughout the game.