Fever’s Record Season Draws to a Close
The West Coast Fever’s 2015 campaign has come to an end after the NSW Swifts recorded a 60-53 win over the West Australians in Sydney last Friday.
Calling on the depth of their bench, NSW Swifts progressed to Sunday’s Australian Conference Final (which they lost to the Queensland Firebirds) after posting a resilient seven goal win.
For the second time in the space of a week, the Swifts got the better of the team from Perth following their similar winning margin in the last match of the regular season which decided second and third spots on the Australian conference ladder.
The Swifts were more efficient in all departments against the Fever, who bowed out of their most successful season to date after making the Finals for the first time in their history.
There has been much to admire about the Fever this season but with everything on the line, the visitors could not match Swifts’ accuracy and ability to absorb pressure on the day.
With the short turnaround before Sunday, there will be concerns in the Swifts camp, their resources being tested after captain Kim Green was replaced at half-time while impressive centre Paige Hadley, struggling with a calf injury, was forced off the court midway through the final stanza.
Both teams made minimal changes to their line-ups of six days ago, the Swifts welcoming back Green, complete with compression socks, after missing last week’s clash with calf soreness.
The Fever was also limited in their changes with Josie Janz-Dawson (WAIS) slipping into the goalkeeper’s role in an otherwise predictable line-up.
There were no signs of early nerves as both teams came out firing in a stanza showcased by a high level of skill and precision netball.
The pair went goal-for-goal in a controlled and efficient start where possession was treasured and turnovers a rarity and well rounded off by a nerveless shooting exhibition.
Both teams had turns at securing two goal leads but with the statistics even across the board, a 13-all stalemate at the first break was a fair indication of the run of play.
The home team moved up a gear on the resumption, punishing little errors from the Fever as the Swifts attack line added slick delivery to shooter Caitlin Thwaites.
The ever-reliable shooter came into her own, assured and perfectly positioned under the hoop as the home team stretched out to a seven-goal advantage.
Fleet-footed midcourters Green, Hadley and Jade Clarke all snapped up crucial intercepts as the Swifts gained the upper hand.
At the same time the constant pressure of defenders Sharni Layton and Julie Corletto kept the dangerous Fever shooters Natalie Medhurst (WAIS) and Caitlin Bassett (WAIS) under tight wrap.
The frustration continued for the Fever, who failed to capitalise on turnover opportunities as the Swifts headed into the main break with a 29-24 lead.
The Fever made a strong start to the third stanza as the Swifts adjusted to new player Stephanie Wood who replaced Green for the second half. Medhurst provided greater impact in directing the visitor’s attacking momentum while going for goal more regularly.
However, the irrepressible Layton helped the Swifts regain their control, the livewire defender’s constant involvement where she picked up telling rebound ball lifting the spirits.
The rapport between Thwaites and Pettitt was a key for the home team, the pair’s seamless understanding and accuracy proving pivotal in the Swift’s ability to retain their five-goal buffer.
A foundation player with the Swifts, Pettitt played an outstanding hand with her all-round game and shooting accuracy.
Heading into the last break, the Swifts shooting duo had just the one miss between them as the home team held on to a 45-40 lead, and whilst the Fever pushed hard to the end, the Swifts dominance was rewarded at the final siren.
-ANZ Champs