By Charlotte Knoke
In an epic Round 14 battle, the West Coast Fever defeated the Melbourne Mavericks by 19 goals. In front of a record-breaking sold-out crowd at RAC Arena in Perth, the Fever produced a clinical performance, ending the Mavericks’ finals chances in 2024.
It was a crucial game for both the Fever and the Mavericks to win, with the Western Australian side hoping for a top-of-the-table finish, and the Melbournians playing for the chance to make finals in their inaugural Suncorp Super Netball season.
Both teams started the game strongly, but the Fever got an opportunity for an early break and found themselves with a lead early on in the match.
It was a battle of Jamaican shooters as Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Shimona Jok were going goal-for-goal at opposite ends of the court.
Midcourters Maisie Nankivell and Alice Teague-Neeld were both on fire and feeding into the circle with seeming ease.
It remained extremely close throughout the entire first quarter, but it was a missed Super Shot from Eleanor Cardwell that allowed the Fever to capitalise and stretch their lead out.
There were no Super Shots scored in the opening quarter, and the Fever ended the period up 20-15.
It was a strong start from both teams.
It was a scrappy start to the second quarter, but the Mavs ended up with an early turnover that they converted on.
There continued to be a lot of back-and-forth in possession, with both teams making small errors leading to them turning over the ball. But the Mavs found themselves with a quick run of goals, and they were able to reduce their deficit.
This shift in momentum prompted Fever coach Dan Ryan to make the first changes of the game, moving Sunday Aryang into goal defence. Meanwhile, Jess Anstiss swung into wing defence and Kelsey Browne entered the game in centre.
This change had immediate impact, as Aryang picked up a rebound off the back of a missed shot from Jok.
Gabby Sinclair then entered the court in goal attack for the Mavs, pushing Cardwell into goal shooter. Both shooters are long distance specialists who were brought on to land some Super Shots - and they did.
Sinclair nailed the first two-pointer of the game, shortly followed by another Super Shots from Cardwell. This helped to reduce the Mavericks’ deficit in the final minutes of the first half.
The Mavs had a stronger second quarter, but the Fever still maintained their lead heading into the second half up 34-30.
It was a close contest in the first half.To start the third quarter, the Fever made some interesting positional changes, moving Teague-Neeld into goal attack, Browne into wing attack, Anstiss back into centre, and Aryang back into wing defence.
Meanwhile, Cardwell went to the bench for the Mavs, and Jok reentered the game in goal shooter alongside Sinclair.
The two teams were going goal-for-goal for the majority of the quarter, until Aryang picked up an incredible intercept for the home side.
An offensive contact against Cardwell, who had just reentered the court, was also to the detriment of the visitors.
After a missed supershot from Sinclair, the scoreline got out to eleven - the highest of the game so far.
Some much-needed supershots came through the hands of both Cardwell and Sinclair, but the Fever continued to find their form over the final minutes of the third quarter.
The Western Australian side ended the period up by 13 goals, 56-43.
The Fever put their foot down in the third quarter.In the do-or-die final quarter, both teams laid it all on the line. The Fever were chasing a 24-goal winning margin to place them in first above the Vixens on the ladder, while the Mavs were desperate to keep their finals hopes alive.
To start the quarter, Olivia Lewis picked up a huge turnover for the Melbourne side who capitalised through Cardwell, reducing their deficit.
It really came down to the final Power Five period, with the Mavs needing to go for the two-pointers.
Cardwell landed a Super Shot, but it was immediately followed up by a Super Shot from Teague-Neeld.
There were a few turnovers and missed Super Shots from the Mavericks in the last few minutes, which all but solidified the home side's convincing win.
The West Coast Fever ultimately clinched the win by 19 goals, ending the game up 76-57.
