Swifts stun Fever in one-point buzzerbeater as Nat Medhurst makes ‘special’ comeback

The West Coast Fever have been stunned by one point in a buzzerbeater thriller as Diamonds legend made a “special” comeback.

The NSW Swifts have won their fifth straight Super Netball game, defeating the West Coast Fever 65-64 on the buzzer in a one-point thriller.

The Fever were dealt a blow pre-game when Sasha Glasgow and Jess Anstiss were ruled out due to Covid health and safety protocols.

Did you know you can watch 2 marquee Suncorp Super Netball matches LIVE & FREE every round on Kayo Freebies? Join now and start streaming instantly >

Emma Cosh was brought into the Fever’s starting line-up at goal attack for the clash at Perth’s RAC Arena.

But all eyes were on Natalie Butler (nee Medhurst) — the 39-year-old training partner who was brought into West Coast’s game day squad of 10.

Butler, who played 86 games for Australia and won three Netball World Cups, was eventually brought into the game in the third quarter and immediately made an impact in the Fever’s attacking end.

The goal attack didn’t skip a beat and even nailed a long range Super Shot in an excellent second half performance.

“She’s always been great at long range shots and now she’s being rewarded with double points so why wouldn’t you,” Caitlin Bassett said on Fox Netball.

Natalie Butler didn’t miss a beat in her comeback game. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

The score was tied 39-39 at three quarter time and it looked like the Fever were edging towards victory before Swifts shooter Helen Housby took over.

Housby nailed countless long bombs to keep the Swifts within touching distance down 63-64.

Then in a masterclass in working the clock, the visitors scored a pair of one-pointers through Romelda Aiken-George to hit the front at the buzzer sounded to claim a 65-64 win.

Housby put on an exhibition in long range shooting, finishing with a mammoth 10 Super Shots from 14 attempts for the game.

Helen Housby was on fire from Super Shot range. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

It’s the first time the Swifts have won five consecutive games in a season but the victories have been far from comfortable.

NSW Swifts winning margins in 2023:

→ 3 • 1 • 1 • 3 • 4 • 1#SSN2023 • #FEVvSWI

— Michael Hutchinson (@xLurch) May 13, 2023

Meanwhile, the Fever’s three losses so far this season have all been by just one point on the buzzer.

Butler told Fox Netball it was “special” to be back playing professional netball.

“A win would have been a lot better,” she said.

“It was a lot of fun to get out there and play, other than the last few seconds. I’m just so grateful I actually had an opportunity to have a run around.

Paige Hadley celebrates the Swifts’ win. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

“Geez I hate losing, not a fan at all. That competitiveness, I’ve never ever lost that and to have an opportunity to have another crack out there was very, very special.”

“To be honest, being a training partner has been really eye-opening. It’s been a struggle at times. You know the role you’re there to do. It certainly has its ups and downs, there’s no doubt about that.

“Sometimes you question, ‘What am I doing? I’m 39’. But the idea was to help the team and give myself any opportunity to have another go out there.

“The fact it opened up was very special and I wanted to make the most of it because that might be the last time. A win would have been a hell of a lot better. Who knows what the rest of the season holds.”

The result means the Swifts leapfrog the Fever up into second on the ladder behind the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who defeated the Queensland Firebirds 63-46.

Originally published as Swifts stun Fever in one-point buzzerbeater as Nat Medhurst makes ‘special’ comeback