Fever locks in Super Netball finals spot with eighth straight win
West Coast Fever have locked in a Super Netball finals berth for the sixth consecutive year, after their 69-63 Round 10 victory over a feisty Melbourne Mavericks.
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West Coast Fever have locked in a Super Netball finals berth for the sixth consecutive year, after their 69-63 Round 10 victory over a feisty Melbourne Mavericks.
Fever have now won eight straight and with an excellent goal percentage, this means that even if they drop their remaining four games there is no mathematical chance of them falling out of the top four.
The reverse is true for the Mavericks, with finals now completely out of reach after another horrific year battling injuries.
With rostered player Lauren Parkinson yet to play a game after an ACL injury sustained before the season even started last year, and Eleanor Cardwell still missing after knee surgery, it’s been a cruel introduction for the league’s newest team.
With Parkinson still out of action, Mavericks rookie goal keeper Jessie Grenvold got the start to add height in their defensive circle.
However, the youngster was no match for experienced Jamaican Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard who opened scoring for Fever less than ten seconds from the starting whistle.
By the end of the match, Fowler-Nembhard piled on 57 from 58.
Mavericks defenders were working overtime to get their hands to the ball and by mid-way through the second term they were leading deflections 8-0.
Unfortunately not enough of those touches converted on the scoreboard as Fever pushed their advantage to lead by 11 at halftime.
Training partner, Uneeq Palavi saw her first minutes of the game in the second term.
The Tongan shooter sits fifth in the league for super shots so was given a simple task: lessen the score differential.
The change was made again in the third and fourth terms with Palavi and shooting partner Sasha Glasgow creating a lively change up that Fever defenders had trouble containing.
Collectively, they nailed nine from 13 attempts from long range but it was all for nought as Fever ground out the game to win by six, despite tinkering with their usual lineup.
“She is an ice queen,” said Mavericks captain Amy Parmenter of Palavi.
“She has such a big future and I love how she takes it on and embraces it.”
With time running out to impress the national selectors, the battle between Parmenter and influential wing attack Alice Teague-Neeld, took on extra spice.
Both players are on the fringe of selection, and have been in excellent form for their respective sides.
Teague-Neeld had the best of the match-up, finishing with 33 feeds as she gave her shooting circle impeccable service in an MVP performance.
Meanwhile, Parmenter was one of the most penalised on court for just one gain.
“That game of netball was more fun than some of the ones we have played over the last few weeks,” Parmenter said.
“I saw some fire and some big moments.
“But, I think our biggest headache at the moment is we go into help mode and we aren’t brave and don’t give the ball like we do at training every week.”
JAMAICAN JUGGERNAUTS
Despite not playing the first two rounds, Fever’s Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has rocketed up the leader board of the league’s most potent shooters.
She sits second in the league for total goals this season (sinking 430) and first to accuracy (97%).
The Mavericks’ Shimona Jok sits third for total goals (405) and second for accuracy (95%).
ORANGE INITIATIVE
Netball continues to raise awareness of the impact of domestic and family violence, with the Mavericks inaugural Orange Game.
Craig Hutchison, CEO of SEN which owns the Mavericks, said it was “a powerful reminder of the role sport can play in driving social change”.
The initiative follows the Australian Netball Players Association drive for change, and Diamond Cara Koenen’s revelation that like one in four women, she’s experienced sexual assault.
CHAMPS KEEP FINALS HOPES ALIVE
by Georgia Doyle
Adelaide Thunderbirds have kept their Super Netball finals hopes alive, despite an unconvincing seven point victory over the Firebirds.
The result, which only blew out in the last couple of minutes, sees the Firebirds extend their losing streak to eight games, their longest, and the second worst in Super Netball history.
Spotted in tears after the Thunderbirds’ loss last week, Latanya Wilson was determined not to suffer the same fate.
With more room to roam out at goal defence, she wreaked havoc from the opening whistle.
The Jamaican finished the game with nine gains, including three intercepts and was causing mass confusion among the Firebirds attackers.
Thunderbirds defender Matilda Garrett had nothing but praise for her circle partner in Wilson, and paid her credit for helping shut down Mary Cholhok.
“Mary is a huge target, so it’s not a one man job,” Garrett said.
“Latanya and I were working on how we could create intercepts for each other.
“We wanted the ball a bit flatter coming into the circle, or up so high that it goes out of court”
Wilson’s MVP heroics inspired her team mates, as they all lifted their own performance to reward her work.
Romelda Aiken-George was at her vintage best, using her years of experience to outsmart young Isabelle Shearer finishing with a match high 50/53.
After the lack of success from range last week, Thunderbirds were quick to move Georgie Horjus into the goal circle when they were trailing on the scoreboard.
Down by two midway through the second quarter, some defensive magic from Wilson combined with safe ball handling was able to give them a four lead at the main break.
With selection for the Diamonds squad imminent, Firebirds’ captain Ruby Bakewell-Doran continues to put her hand up for re-selection after only being an invitee last season.
Up against creative mastermind Horjus for much of the match, she was able to use her closing speed and anticipation to nab five intercepts and two pickups for her side.
However, the Firebirds woes at goal attack continued, as starter Emily Moore struggled to find the ring or her fellow shooter.
In the second half, replacement player Abigail Latu-Meafou was handed the bib and the attacking end seemed to click.
She was able to create play for those around her, while also stepping up and nailing 15 shots of her own, including 5 supershots, all at 100 percent.
Despite the loss, Firebirds coach Kiri Wills was pleased with the outing.
“We’ve been struggling for consistency throughout the season, but I was happier with our performance tonight than any of our previous, even our wins,” Wills said.
“We haven’t played that hard for that long, but to give it away in that last five minutes the girls are kicking themselves because we could’ve won that”
With Thunderbirds holding the narrowest of margins heading into the final quarter it was some crucial turnovers from Firebirds co-captain Hulita Veve that opened the door for Horjus to push ahead with two supershots, and in doing so lift themselves back into the top four.
FIGHT FOR FOURTH
With the competition at the pointy end, Adelaide Thunderbirds are battling it out with the Melbourne Vixens to secure a finals berth.
Both teams have a similar run home, coming up against multiple top four sides.
This means the key to deciding the final top four spot will likely come down to the Round 12 match up between the two sides.
VENUE DILEMMA
At multiple points throughout the opening half, play had to be stopped to mop a portion of the floor at the top of the goal circle.
While normally done to dry up player sweat, there often wasn’t one in sight, leaving fans speculating about another leaky roof.
Adelaide previously had a match abandoned due to venue issues, but fortunately this one was able to be played to completion.
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