The West Coast Fever delivered a decisive performance against the Melbourne Vixens, winning 71-60 in the final round of the Super Netball season. This victory not only solidified the Fever’s position as title contenders but also significantly impacted the Vixens’ chances of advancing to the finals.
Playing in front of a record crowd of 12,813 at the RAC Arena in Perth, the Fever showcased their strength, particularly through the efforts of Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard. The seasoned shooter achieved an impressive tally of 61 goals from 63 attempts, with her only two misses coming from the two-point super shot range.
The loss dropped the Vixens to fourth place, which means they will not host the minor semi-final next Sunday. Instead, the two-time reigning champions, the Adelaide Thunderbirds, will take on the Vixens. The Fever, riding high on a streak of 12 consecutive wins, will face the second-placed NSW Swifts in their semi-final match on the same day.
Despite a close first half, with the Fever leading 34-30, the home team began to pull away in the third quarter. Fowler-Nembhard maintained her exceptional form, scoring 16 goals without a miss during that period. The Fever’s defense, led by Sunday Aryang and Kadie-Ann Dehaney, put significant pressure on the Vixens, forcing them into 20 turnovers throughout the match.
In response to the Fever’s defensive prowess, Vixens coach Simone McKinnis made tactical changes in the second quarter, substituting Lily Graham in for Sophie Garbin in an attempt to penetrate the Fever’s defense. Yet, Aryang continued to dominate, earning her second consecutive player of the match award with six gains and four intercepts, successfully limiting the impact of Vixens star goal attack Kiera Austin.
“I’m very happy. When we got to this game, we had a big focus on finishing the season off well, and we accomplished what we set out to do,” Aryang expressed in an interview with Fox Sports. She acknowledged the challenge of marking Austin, stating, “It’s always hard work coming up against Kiera.”
As the match concluded, Fowler-Nembhard capped off her outstanding performance by scoring a two-point super shot in the final seconds, sending the crowd into a frenzy. This victory not only marked a significant moment for the Fever but also contributed to a record total attendance of 343,634 across the home-and-away season, the highest in national league history.
With the finals approaching, the Fever’s confidence is palpable, and their performance against the Vixens has set the stage for an exciting showdown in the semi-finals.
