A dominant Jhaniele Fowler shooting display has helped West Coast Fever take advantage of their last home game this season to beat Adelaide Thunderbirds 69-44.
Fever got to host the game on Saturday night at RAC Arena despite the rest of the competition being based out of a hub in South Australia where the conclusion of the season proper is set to take place.
The Thunderbirds sent a scare into the Fever to lead by three goals early, but the home team took over in the second quarter as dominant shooter Fowler left her mark, the sharpshooter ultimately finishing with 57 goals from 58 attempts.
Fever led by nine at halftime and went on with the job to take out their eighth win in ten matches. With the loss of 12 points because of salary cap breaches, they sit fourth and one win behind Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Coach Stacey Marinkovich was emotional post-match knowing it would be her last home game in charge of Fever as she takes on the Australian Diamonds job full-time.
"I think this showed that the girls can concentrate and stay in the moment. That's something that we wanted to be able to focus on, the things we could control, and that's exactly what we did," Marinkovich said.
"There is so much passion for netball in this state and the amount of work that's gone on behind the scenes, and what the girls have evolved into on the court has been huge from where we were seven years ago.
"I'm really thankful to have played a part in the club's growth, but we've still got the season to finish and I'm forever grateful to Fever for giving me the opportunity as a rookie as a coach. I wouldn't be anywhere if it wasn't for them giving me a go so I owe them a lot."
The loss makes it tough for Thunderbirds to stay in the finals race, two games back from the fourth-placed Fever having played an extra game.
Thunderbirds put together a strong opening quarter away from home with Lenize Potgieter (26 from 26) and Georgie Horjus (five from seven) taking their chances.
But from there it quickly slipped away.
Only a couple of super shots from reserve Samantha Gooden (five of seven super shots) kept Adelaide within any sort of touch but West Coast was in control 34-25 at the half on the back a perfect 30 for 30 from Fowler.
Fowler went on an individual 8-1 scoring run during the third quarter to help Fever lead by 14 before the margin blew out further in the final period.
