Fever Ousted by Vixens
The Melbourne Vixens kept their season alive with a comprehensive outing to upset the high-riding West Coast Fever 56-48 in Melbourne last Sunday.
Facing a do-or-die situation, the defending champions belied their underdog status after getting away to one of their best starts in recent weeks and continuing to build through the rest of the match.
Injuries and poor form had consigned the Vixens to a patchy season but the future of the franchise looked in safe hands after the younger brigade stepped up to play influential roles.
The Vixens bookends, shooter Karyn Bailey and goalkeeper Geva Mentor, were pivotal figures in the home team’s renaissance. In a measure of her dominance, Fever used three different defenders against the irrepressible Bailey while Mentor was back to her peerless best.
Playing for top spot in the Australian Conference, Fever had a game they would rather forget, dogged by too many turnovers and unable to match the Vixens’ intensity.
Vixens opted for the young midcourt trio of Liz Watson (wing attack), Kate Maloney (centre) and Chloe Watson (wing defence) to start the all-important match. The Fever presented with a predictable line-up, Josie Janz-Dawson (WAIS) getting the nod at goalkeeper.
The opening exchanges produced an even start where respective shooters Bailey and WAIS athlete Caitlin Bassett were prominent figures. The visitors were slicker in their progress to goal, the Vixens forced to play a more grafting, patient role but the result was equally effective.
Looking a little rusty after coming off the bye, Fever made uncharacteristic errors while the home team’s defensive duo of Bianca Chatfield and Mentor came into their own with a clutch of timely turnovers.
Showing a greater ability to retain possession with Bailey adding the polish under the hoop, it was the Vixens who took a 16-13 lead into the first break.
The Fever fought back purposely on the resumption, levelling the scores following a lift in defensive intensity while also showing greater drive in getting the ball into Bassett’s hands.
From that point, a real arm wrestle ensued, the Vixens refusing to buckle as both teams enjoyed little surges of success. With Bailey proving rock solid under the home team’s hoop and Fever continuing to turn the ball over, it was the Vixens who finished with a flourish to take a handy 28-25 lead into the main break.
Both teams made changes for the second half, Jo Weston providing fresh legs at goal defence for skipper Chatfield in the host’s line-up. For the Fever, the WAIS pair of Captain Ashleigh Brazill and Shae Bolton made their customary switch to centre and wing defence respectively while the league’s tallest defender Erena Mikaera was tasked with slowing down the input of the impressive Bailey.
Weston imposed herself early as the Fever continued to cough up possession. The Vixens’ midcourt, with Maloney delivering a strong effort on attack and defence, held the edge over their counterparts and growing in confidence to help the Vixens gain control.
Veteran campaigner Mentor also produced a big outing with her relentless defensive work on key target Bassett. The defending champions’ constant ability to challenge, contest and produce the finishing touches was rewarded as the Fever faded under the mounting pressure.
With Bailey in superb touch under the hoop, Fever could not contain the Vixens who held all the cards when marching to a 43-36 lead at the last break.
-ANZ Champs