When: Saturday 7 July 7.00pm (local time)
Where: HBF Stadium, Perth
Broadcast: Telstra TV & 9Gem (Perth only)
Last time they met in Round 3:
Fever (56) defeated Lightning (55)
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Lightning
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MATCH-UP
The Numbers
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Fever
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30
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Mins. In Possession
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29
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12
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Gain
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16
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8
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Intercepts
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9
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12
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Deflections
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19
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|
85
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Goal Shooting %
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86
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The last time these two met it was electric and exciting to watch from start to finish, with the reigning champions and the current Rebel Sport Ladder leaders exchanging blows all game. Lightning managed to pick up some bonus points, but in the end it was Fever who scrapped the win by one point.
Game talking points:
- Lightning will be riding a wave of confidence after beating the Queensland Firebirds last week in a dramatic game that went to the buzzer, and will be looking to utilise the momentum built in that game to turn over a rampaging Fever team this week.
- Fever still sit top of the Rebel Sport Ladder, where they’ve been all season, but they have a powerful Giants Netball team keeping them honest, just four points behind, so they can’t afford to get complacent and drop points – because the Giants will be waiting.
- A home game advantage will do well for Fever, with the Perth side being unbeatable on their own court so far this season.
- Lightning will want to put up a good defence of their championship this season, so will be doing all the can to reach finals. With the Melbourne Vixens (3rd) and Queensland Firebirds (4th) playing each other this weekend – it is a perfect chance for Lightning to get some points and sneak into the top four.
If Fever want to win…
Fever will need to use the crowd to drive them on and stop them from thinking that the minor premiership title is already won. They have fought hard each game and have only managed to accumulate two losses so far this season, both on the road, but they have yet to really rest any of their top players and could be concerned about season fatigue setting in. Lightning have managed to finish strong in most games, resulting mostly in them snatching wins, so any level of complacency from the Fever during the game will be pounced upon by their Queensland opponents.
If Lightning want to win…
Lightning’s biggest challenge will be shutting down the league’s leading goal scorer, Jhaniele Fowler – who has notched a mouth watering 505 goals in just nine matches, at an average of 56 goals per game. Although Geva Mentor will be handed the mammoth task of stopping her, the whole team will have to take responsibility and prevent the ball coming down the court into goal circle.
Key match-ups:
The clash between Geva Mentor and Jhaniele Fowler will be one to watch, both leading in their respective ends of the court. Great offense and solid defense will come together, who knows which will be victorious. Both players have unbelievable leaps and large wingspans, the outcome of the match could be decided by whoever wins this one-on-one battle.
