West Coast Fever needed depth, composure and laser-like accuracy to secure a come-from-behind 74-69 win against the Collingwood Magpies.
With nothing between the two teams, goal attack Sasha Glasgow sprang to life in the dying minutes and her circle partner Jhaniele Fowler shot 61 goals from 63 attempts at RAC Arena to keep the Fever in the hunt for the minor premiership.
It all came down to the last five minutes when Fever coach Dan Ryan pleaded with his players to be more aggressive.
Trailing by four, Stacey Francis-Bayman intercepted a risky Sophie Garbin pass to tip momentum in favour of the home team.
Glasgow had been quiet all game but sank a pair of two-point super goals when the pressure was at its most intense.
The classy Magpies had their chances to sneak into the top four but the Fever won the critical moments to teach the visitors a few lessons about composure.
Alice Teague-Neeld has found a home at wing attack and her 47 feeds, 38 with a goal attempt, provided the steadiness the Fever needed.
"It was a really challenging game," Teague-Neeld said.
"It was goal for goal and we knew it would come down to the wire."
Magpie Shimona Nelson shot 53 goals at 88 per cent accuracy but it was her feeders, Kelsey Browne and Molly Jovic, who put the side in a winning position.
But for a handful of errors in the final quarter, Collingwood looked every bit as good as the Fever.
Despite the absence of Jess Anstiss due to a foot injury, the Fever held a one-point lead at halftime.
The flow of the game until that point suggested the Magpies were on top.
Centre Jovic disrupted the Fever midcourt at both ends, prompting Ryan to shuffle his line-up.
Zoe Cransberg replaced Verity Simmons at centre and captain Courtney Bruce spent time at goal defence as Ryan explored his deep roster to find an advantage.
The Magpies had an answer for everything the Fever lobbed their way.
Just as West Coast threatened to creep ahead late in the third quarter, Collingwood shooters Nelson and Sophie Garbin adjusted their radars to send their team on a 5-0 run to pinch the lead at the final change.
