By Rosie Gale
In a monumental clash against the finals-bound West Coast Fever, the Collingwood Magpies delivered a captivating performance in their final Suncorp Super Netball match securing a hard-fought 65-62 victory at Silverdome.
The packed house in Tasmania was treated to an electric atmosphere as both teams battled fiercely.
Jhanielle Fowler's early goal set the tone for a highly contested affair, with the Magpies showcasing their defensive prowess to impede the Fever's offensive rhythm.
With a narrow one-goal lead of 16-15 at the end of the first quarter, the stage was set for an enthralling and high-stakes showdown.
Sophie Garbin wasted no time, sinking an easy goal from the center pass to ignite the second quarter.
Alice Teague-Neeld showcased her dominance in the middle corridor for the Fever, while the Magpies applied relentless defensive pressure, forcing lateral plays.
The momentum swung back and forth, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Sensing a crucial moment, Collingwood coach Nicole Richardson called a tactical timeout, strategising for the remaining seven minutes.
Kelsey Browne emerged as a standout performer for the Pies in the second term, delivering impressive stats with 15 center pass receives, 15 feeds, and seven goal assists.
A missed Super Shot by Sasha Glasgow fell into the hands of the Magpies, with Garbin capitalising on the opportunity. However, the Fever seized their chance after Shimona Nelson's uncharacteristic misses, with Jhaniele Fowler finishing off the play.
Nelson retaliated with a goal, propelling the Magpies to take a slim one-point lead with only 15 seconds left on the clock. But a sharp feed from Browne to Fowler resulted in a game-tying goal, leaving the score deadlocked at 32 apiece as both teams headed into the second half.
Kim Jenner made an immediate impact upon stepping onto the court. Verity Simmons was benched, making way for Jess Anstiss at C and Sunday Aryang shifting to WD.
In a pivotal moment, a well-executed throw-in and a swift passage of play led to a goal from Shimona Nelson, further fueling the Magpies' charge.
The connection between Kelsey Browne, Sophie Garbin, and Nelson proved fruitful once again, as they combined for another goal, shifting the momentum in the Magpies' favor.
Maddie Hinchliffe's intercept further solidified the Magpies' dominance, extending their lead to five points as the Power Five siren blared.
In an attempt to disrupt the Magpies' momentum, Fever coach Dan Ryan called a timeout, hoping to regroup and regain control of the game.
Despite a few errant passes, the Fever managed to regain possession, with Jhaniele Fowler chipping away at the deficit with successful shots.
The experienced Geva Mentor showcased her skills with a crucial intercept, gathering the loose ball and swiftly distributing it down the court.
Jodi-Ann Ward also made her presence known, securing a crucial intercept and adding to her impressive defensive stats sheet, which already included four deflections, two intercepts, and one rebound.
The Magpies lead the charge as they enter the final quarter with a 51-44 advantage over the Fever.
The final quarter witnessed a fiery battle as the Fever fought back with determination. Glasgow's smooth goal kick-started their comeback, narrowing the deficit. Nelson's contact call provided an opportunity for the Fever to score, bringing them within five points.
The Magpies displayed tactical brilliance, led by Garbin's impressive performance with 113 Nissan Net Points. The Fever struggled to find open space, often resorting to backward passes. Sensing the need to regroup, the Magpies called a strategic timeout with just over nine minutes remaining.
The Fever scored three consecutive goals and reduced the margin to a mere two points. The Magpies faced challenges in delivering the ball to Nelson, prompting a switch to box pressure defense, albeit with limited success compared to their one-on-one defensive pressure.
A fierce battle for the rebound between Nelson and Bruce ensued, with Bruce emerging triumphant. During the Power Five period, Fowler secured a crucial goal, bringing the Fever within striking distance, trailing by only one point.
A miscommunication between Simmons and Glasgow worked in favor of the Magpies, allowing them to regain possession and extend their lead by two points. The defensive prowess of the Magpies made it difficult for the Fever shooters to score a Super Shot. A fumble from Fowler resulted in the Magpies retaining possession and capitalising on the opportunity.
With a five-point lead after their center pass, the Magpies continued their relentless attack, outperforming the reigning Premiers. Fowler managed to sink a Super Shot, but Aryang's intercept was marred by an errant pass.
Amidst the roaring crowd, the Magpies sealed a fairytale finish, emerging victorious with a final score of 65-62.
