‘Got it in the bag’: Cath Cox makes Super Netball premiership call
Australian netball legend Cath Cox has given her Super Netball premiership tip with one round to go, changing her tune from pre-season.
Australian netball legend Cath Cox is backing the West Coast Fever to continue their epic winning streak and go all the way to winning the Super Netball premiership.
The make-up of the top four will be decided this weekend in a do-or die clash between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning on Saturday night.
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Both teams are tied on 28 points heading into the last round of the season, and it’s win or go home.
The Thunderbirds are aiming to become the first team in Australian netball history to win three premierships in a row, while the Lightning are desperate to make finals and capitalise on their stacked squad.
“It’s a huge game down there,” Fox Netball commentator Cath Cox told news.com.au
“It’s a massive game because one person makes it through to the finals and one person sees it over. So it’s really do or die.”
The Lightning will have to do it without star defender Courtney Bruce, who is out with a calf strain.
“Their backs are against the wall,” Cox said of the Lightning.
“But they’re one of the few teams that can beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds and they used to do it when they had Shamera Sterling-Humphrey down there in Adelaide
“They haven’t got her and I actually think for this game it’s a better thing because defensively Matilda Garrett, an Australian player, is really that tagging goal defence and she’ll give Steph Fretwell much more of a headache. I still think Adelaide can get the job done here though, primarily because it’s in Adelaide.”
Cox believes the Fever are the team to beat after superstar goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard returned from a miscarriage, helping the Fever go on an 11-game winning streak to sit two wins clear of the NSW Swifts on top of the ladder.
The Swifts were Cox’s pre-season pick for the premiership after recruiting New Zealand goal shooter Grace Nweke, but now the Fever look well and truly like the team to beat.
Asked to give her pre-finals premiership favourite, Cox said: “West Coast fever without doubt. I think they’ve got it in the bag, to be honest.
“If you had asked me that at the start of the year, I would have said the New South Wales Swifts hands down. In fact, I did say that. I actually said if they don’t win it, something’s gone horribly wrong.
“Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard had taken some time off to have a baby. Sadly, that all didn’t go to plan for her, so she came back for Round 2 and they haven’t lost since, the West Coast Fever.
“They are, without a doubt the team to watch. The beauty for them is they’re at home again for the next two weeks so they’re really settled.
“They’ll be firing particularly by the time they get to any sort of big time finals and grand finals.”
West Coast had two losses to start the season but the return of Fowler-Nembhard has unlocked a new level of confidence in the Fever who are aiming for their second Super Netball premiership after their maiden title in 2022.
“Obviously, when you lose someone like Jhaniele you’re going to struggle to find a new game plan,” Cox said.
“It’s also the confidence she brings aside from what she brings physically on the court. She just brings a level of confidence to the rest of the team to have a crack and they’re doing that.
“Defensively they’re playing a lot better than they have. They’re a super flexible side which makes a big difference too for a coach like Dan Ryan and he certainly knows how to get the best out of them.”
Super Netball Round 14 (all times AEST), Sunday games available to watch on Kayo Freebies
Giants vs Melbourne Mavericks — Saturday 5pm
More Coverage
Adelaide Thunderbirds vs Sunshine Coast Lightning — Saturday 7pm
Queensland Firebirds vs NSW Swifts — Sunday 2pm
West Coast Fever vs Melbourne Vixens — Sunday 4pm
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