As a state with a proud history of punching above its weight on the sporting arena against the eastern seaboard states, the West Coast Fever’s barren finals resume must certainly have grated over the years.
Basketball franchise the Perth Wildcats have been an NBL Finals institution for well over three decades, with 32 finals appearances, 12 grand finals and eight titles, most recently in 2010, 2014 and back-to-back in 2016 and 2017.
A-League club Perth Glory broke through for a maiden National Soccer League title in 2002-03 and went back-to-back the following season before the competition became the A-League, and have also consistently figured in finals since 2010.
The West Coast Eagles have ascended to the top of the AFL three times since joining the competition in 1987, and are again set to play a major part in September action this year – currently sitting second on the ladder. Crosstown rivals Fremantle might not have enjoyed the same level of success, however after some tough early years they’ve featured in finals seven times, including a losing grand final in 2013.
Meanwhile, Twenty20 side the Perth Scorchers has won three of the seven Big Bash titles on offer since the competition’s inception in 2011, and Perth’s WNBL team made finals almost every year throughout the 1990s and achieved the ultimate success in 1992, and have lifted again in the last three seasons, reaching the postseason each time.
So there’s no question that the Fever’s one finals appearance in 21 seasons (with that outing yielding a semi-final loss against the NSW Swifts in 2015) stands out.
And it’s a fact that’s not lost on veteran goal attack Nat Medhurst, who experienced grand final glory with the Queensland Firebirds and is desperate to do the same for the West Australian faithful who’ve clung on to the hope of one day seeing a successful WA netball team.
“We’re enjoying it. We know how much this means to this state (and) for us as individuals and we want to make sure we finish it off,” Medhurst says.
“Particularly over the last 12 to 18 months, both personally and what this club’s been able to go through, it would be the ultimate reward.”
So hellbent is Medhurst on knocking over the Sunshine Coast Lightning on Sunday and hoisting the Suncorp Super Netball premiership trophy in her adopted hometown that she’s shelved any thought of being a late call-up into the Samsung Diamonds squad.
“I’m out there to win a premiership with Fever and at the moment I couldn’t care less about the Aussie Diamonds,” she insists.
“I don’t feel like I’ve got anything to prove myself there either. I think my form across the season has been as good as any, and anything that comes would be a bonus, but I’m here to play for Fever, to win a premiership and bring some success to this club.”
“To see what this club has been able to achieve, and they’ve been so incredibly good to me since I first came over here, this is the ultimate. Even from when I was a young kid, I’ve drilled into myself to go and help clubs and try and make them be better, so hopefully I’ve done something here.”
But the 34-year-old knows the Lightning aren’t just going to hand over the title they won last year in Super Netball’s inaugural season. She says they’re prepared for a withering challenge from the reigning premiers, with former Fever shooter Caitlin Bassett front and centre as the Lightning try to spoil the party in Perth.
“That’s what you guys are going to hang onto, aren’t you, about we’re playing Bass in a grand final?” Medhurst jokes.
“She’s obviously been there, they won the premiership last year and it is what it is, it’s now two years since she left and we know what we’re up against. Her and Courto (Bruce) have had an incredible battle across the season and it’s going to be no different on Sunday.”
“I think there’s a lot of key matchups. I think the midcourt is going to have a huge role as to who gets on top and really capitalises on the opportunities that the teams get.
“I think obviously just that will to win. Both teams have experience across both lineups and in different areas of the court.”
