By Matt Fotia
A change in mentality and an injection of belief were the key drivers behind the Queensland Firebirds' shock Round 11 win over premiership hopefuls the West Coast Fever.
The Firebirds stunned the competition, defeating the Fever 78-70 to record their third win of what can only be described as a tumultuous campaign, jumping off the bottom of the ladder in the process.
Kate Walker, the interim co-coach of the Firebirds, expressed her immense pride following the eight-goal win over the 2022 premiers.
“Rose (co-coach Roselee Jencke) and I couldn’t be prouder,” Walker said to reporters post-game.
“It’s an incredible feeling for these girls first and foremost, but for the fans and for the club and for all the people that do stick by us, it’s a huge reward and I hope they all celebrate it.”
Firebirds star and Origin Diamonds goaler Donnell Wallam led the line, and her side, beautifully. Wallam scored 66 of the Firebirds 78 goals in a player of the match performance.
Wallam, who had one pickup and one gain to go with her all-conquering offensive efforts, said Walker had made an immediate impact since becoming the Firebirds third coach in as many weeks.
“From the moment Katie got in (the role), she said we’re going to win this weekend,” Wallam said.
“That was the mentality from the first training session to the captain’s run.
“We really took that in and took confidence from those words and produced that performance.”
Walker refused to take credit for the Firebirds remarkable turnaround.
“It’s one thing to say those words, but it’s another thing to actually back it up with your actions,” former Firebird player Walker said.
“We can only put the training sessions in place. They delivered on Tuesday, on Thursday, on Friday and that’s what got us the result today.
“They’ve all been through a lot, but you wouldn’t have known it.”
Walker instilled confidence in her side all weekRookie defender Isabelle Shearer also drew plaudits for her performance on legendary shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.
Shearer, who had appeared just four times this season before Saturday, was thrust into the starting seven and shone, finishing the win with four deflections, three gains and three rebounds.
Walker said the move to hand Shearer a starting spot was inspired by co-coach Roselee Jencke and was not in any way a token gesture.
“She was out there to do a job and she did it beautifully,” said Walker.
“I said to her that this isn’t an opportunity to test your feet and get some court time.
“You have to come ready to play.
“You are in our ten for a reason and not just to get some experience and she played like someone who knows she deserves to be in that dress.”
The win has moved the Firebirds up to seventh on the ladder, and with games against the Swifts and Lightning to come across the next fortnight, there is hope they could finish the 2024 season with some real momentum.
“We’ve watched the Swifts; we’ve got some ideas around that,” Walker said when asked about their next fixture.
“We will have a very clear gameplan, just we did this week and I have full faith that,just like they did today, they’ll (the players) execute it.”
