The Thunderbirds showed early enthusiasm, but quickly fell into a litany of turnovers as Verity Charles and Jess Anstiss controlled the centre court.
Their dominance allowed plenty of quality delivery to Fever’s Jamaican superstar Jhanielle Fowler who finished with 66 goals – equalling the Australian national league record she set the last time these two sides played each other.
It was David versus Goliath from the first whistle, with the Fever sitting at the top of the Rebel Sport ladder for most of the season, while the Thunderbirds were still searching for their first win of 2018.
The Melbourne Vixens inflicted a heavy loss on the Fever in Melbourne last week and GIANTS Netball doubled the dose of pain today, temporarily stealing top spot with their draw with the Sunshine Coast – giving the Fever plenty of incentive to get up for this match.
Thunderbirds goalkeeper Kate Shimmin gives up 13 cm in height to Fowler but made an immediate impact as the Thunderbirds showed early intent – only trailing 6-5 after five minutes of play.
Seven minutes into the contest, the Thunderbirds had stolen the lead with goal defender Leanna de Bruin having an enormous impact.
Some ill discipline allowed the Fever to skip out by four goals, but that was followed by a significant delay for the blood rule with a finger cut to Nat Medhurst prompting a sideline uniform change and a clean up job on the court.
Following the confusion, West Coast began to find their mark carrying a 20-15 lead into quarter time.
Turnovers became a habit for the Thunderbirds and the Fever punished them early in the second quarter, forcing Adelaide coach Dan Ryan to call his charges in to steady the ship.
The Fever had settled into a rhythm, though, going about their work efficiently to glide out to a 10 goal lead by the midway point of the quarter.
Charlee Hodge began to find her range and a three-goal run from the Thunderbirds kept the Fever honest, but by halftime, the home side was still pacing their rivals 34-24.
Charles and Anstiss were locking down the midcourt for the Fever and the writing was on the wall for the Thunderbirds at three-quarter time, trailing 59-39.
Adelaide showed plenty of heart to lead West Coast 10-5 midway through the final quarter, but they were unable to claim the bonus point for the term with both teams scoring 17 goals.
Q1: Fever 20 v Thunderbirds 15
Q2: Fever 14 v Thunderbirds 9
Q3: Fever 25 v Thunderbirds 15
Q4: Fever 17 v Thunderbirds 17
Suncorp Super Netball premiership points
West Coast Fever 7
Adelaide Thunderbirds 0
*no bonus point awarded for the drawn final quarter
Fever shooting statistics
Jhanielle Fowler 66/73
Nat Medhurst 10/11
Thunderbirds shooting statistics
Shimona Nelson 47/52
Charlee Hodges 7/11
Abigail Latu-Meafou 2/3
Fever starting seven
GS: Jhanielle Fowler. GA: Nat Medhurst, WA: Ingrid Colyer, C: Verity Charles, WD: Jess Anstiss, GD: Stacey Francis, GK: Courtney Bruce
Thunderbirds starting seven
GS: Shimona Nelson, GA: Charlee Hodges, WA: Chelsea Pittman, C: Kaitlyn Bryce, WD: Fiona Fowler, GD: Leanna de Bruin, GK: Kate Shimmin
Nissan MVP: Jhanielle Fowler
