Fever Back in Winner’s Circle
West Coast Fever have reclaimed third position on the ANZ Championship’s Australian Conference Ladder following a commanding 12 goal victory over the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
A clinical first quarter in which Fever outscored the hosts 15-6, including a run of nine consecutive goals, laid the foundations for the West Coast side’s fifth win of the season.
Fever asserted their authority from the opening centre pass, with pressure from the midcourt and defensive circle resulting in a series of turnovers by the Thunderbirds.
The work in defence allowed shooters Caitlin Bassett and Nat Medhurst to capitalise on the scoreboard and take a nine goal lead to the first break.
The Thunderbirds responded early in the second term, halting the visitor’s momentum with a spirited fight back to reduce the margin to seven.
Defender Courtney Bruce was then forced from the court just minutes before the main break after falling awkwardly on her knee following a trademark intercept.
Josie Janz-Dawson replaced Bruce at Goal Keeper and the West Coast side finished the half strongly to take a 10 goal lead to halftime.
Fever started the third quarter in similar fashion, as Ash Brazill and Shae Brown’s centimetre perfect feeds from the midcourt saw Bassett and Medhurst increase the margin to 13 at the final break.
With a healthy lead, Head Coach Stacey Rosman introduced some fresh faces at the beginning of the final quarter as Erena Mikaere and Kate Beveridge took to the court.
While the Thunderbirds won the last quarter, the energy of the reserves ensured the home side’s charge was of no real threat, as Fever went on to secure a 12 goal victory by the fulltime whistle.
The combination of Brazill and Brown proved crucial in the win, with the pair recording six of Fever’s 12 interceptions between them.
Bassett was also in season best form, registering 50 goals for the first time in 2016 to be named MVP.
The star shooter said it was pleasing to be back in the winner’s circle.
“It’s been a challenging few weeks for our group so it’s nice to put a performance like that together and take the win,” Bassett said.
“Stacey was really clear this week about how important the next five games are for us and how critical it was to start with a win this weekend, so I’m proud of how we delivered today.”
The only concern for Fever following the game was the extent of the injury to Bruce, with Rosman saying more will be known in the coming days.
“Courtney will have scans when we return to Perth and we won’t know anything definitively until we’ve had the chance to assess those results,” Rosman said.
“We have an exceptional medical staff at our disposal though so, irrespective of the outcome, Courtney will be in very good hands.”
Fever’s focus now turns to their Round 11 assignment against the NSW Swifts in Newcastle on Saturday.
The game will be a special occasion for the club, and in particular mid-courter Shae Brown, who will become just the second player in Fever history to play 100 ANZ Championship games for the West Coast side.
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