Fever Fall Short Against Firebirds
A gallant West Coast Fever has fallen short of upsetting competition heavyweight – Queensland Firebirds – after posting a nine goal loss in Perth.
The Fever threatened on numerous occasions but couldn’t quite match the execution from the defending champion in the clutch moments, with the Firebirds eventually recording a 61-52 win.
Fever Head Coach Stacey Rosman said she was proud of her side’s intent, particularly in defence.
“The full court defensive pressure was again a highlight,” Rosman said
“We certainly made the Firebirds work for their chances and, ultimately the result.”
Rosman also praised the manner in which her players continued to push the reining Premiers in trying circumstances.
“I was really proud of the way the group responded to a number of momentum changes, working hard to get themselves back into the game on several occasions.”
“For us, it’s just the little errors that come when you’re in control that we need to eradicate in order to give ourselves the best possible opportunity to finish on the right side of the scoreboard.”
The Firebirds raced to an early three goal advantage in a frenetic opening quarter, before a determined Fever mid-court provided a series of opportunities for shooters Caitlin Bassett and Nat Medhurst to level the scores at 15 goals a piece at the first break.
The end to end netball continued at the resumption of play, with both sides executing strongly to trade goals in the opening stages of the second stanza.
The Premiers took advantage of some turnover ball to skip out to a five goal lead approaching the halftime interval, before another purposeful push from the home side cut the margin back to three at the main break.
Fever responded to the rest in impressive fashion, stealing the momentum at the start of the third quarter to level the scores and push the Firebirds back on their heels.
The visitors responded in kind though, weathering the Fever storm before asserting some authority of their own, to establish a four goal advantage at the final break.
A run of five consecutive goals to begin the final term from the Queensland side applied further scoreboard pressure on the hosts, extending the margin to nine goals with time subsiding.
And, despite one final spirited drive from the West Coast outfit, the task proved too tall, with the Firebirds celebrating victory at the fulltime siren.
Fever now have six days to prepare for yet another Australian Conference clash, with their first game of the season at Perth Arena next Saturday afternoon against the Melbourne Vixens.
The game will mark the first of Fever’s final two home games of the 2016 ANZ Championship season, both of which will be played at Perth’s premier indoor venue.