Super Netball: How pursuit of perfection makes Fever, Vixens, competition heavyweights

An analysis of four key stats through the first four rounds of the Super Netball season has revealed a major reason why the Fever and Vixens are unbeaten. Find out more inside.

Emma Greenwood

4 min read

6:00AMMay 10, 2024.

Updated 1:11PMMay 11, 2024

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 27: Kadie-Ann Dehaney of the Fever celebrates with fans after wining the round three Super Netball match between Melbourne Mavericks and West Coast Fever at John Cain Arena, on April 27, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

West Coast Fever may have had substantial turnaround in their personnel over the off-season but one thing that hasn’t changed for Dan Ryan’s team is the relentless pursuit of perfection.

Code Sports analysed four key stats for the opening four rounds of the Super Netball season, which helped show why the Fever and Vixens remain unbeaten through the opening month of competition.

While the Vixens clawed their way across the line in a couple of games, the Fever sit well ahead on percentage to lead the competition.

While much of the buzz around the West Australians has centred on their savvy recruitment of internationals Fran Williams (England), Shanice Beckford and Kadie-Ann Dehaney (Jamaica), it’s their ability to treasure possession that has put them in top spot.

The Fever have the fewest unforced turnovers in the competition, their 29 across four games nine better than both the NSW Swifts and Sunshine Coast Lightning, who have both coughed the ball up 38 times in the first four weeks.

It’s a stat reflected in their centre pass to goal percentage, where they have consistently managed to turn possession into points.

While the Lightning hit an incredible 90 per cent rate in their first-round win against the NSW Swifts, the Firebirds hit 82 per cent in their round 2 win against the Giants and the Thunderbirds notched 80 per cent last start against the Giants, the Fever have maintained a rate above 80 per cent in every match so far this season, peaking at 88 per cent against the Giants in round 1.

The Fever lost their first quarter of the season against the Swifts last week - the only one of 16 they have been bettered in - and captain Jess Anstiss said they were determined to stay focused on not let the Queensland Firebirds into their Friday night clash in Perth.

Shanice Beckford is another savvy recruit by the Fever. Picture: Getty Images

“We have had a huge focus in pre-season about discipline and not necessarily just hurling (the ball) into the goal circle,” Anstiss said of maintaining possession.

“So making sure we’re working on circle edge even if we think Jhaniele (Fowler-Nembhard) is available and free, a huge thing has been that possession game and making sure that we keep hold of the ball.”

When they don’t have the ball, the Fever are focused on getting it back - and then converting that possession.

West Coast captain Jess Anstiss said discipline had been a major focus. Picture: Getty Images

While they have the second-best single-game gain to goal ratio, the Vixens have proven themselves the masters of converting that hard-won ball into points.

In every game this season, the Vixens have a gain to goal percentage greater than 70 and it’s their ability to turn pressure into points that has helped them across the line in single-digit wins against the Melbourne Mavericks and Adelaide Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds built their premiership on relentless defence and while they lost shooters Eleanor Cardwell and Tippah Dwan in the off-season, they have lost none of their defensive intensity, leading the competition by a mile in gains.

Kate Moloney in action for the Vixens, who are proven masters of converting hard-won ball into points. Picture: Getty Images

The T-Birds have 78 gains this season, 20 more than their nearest rivals (Vixens), with Jamaican star Shamera Sterling contributing 32 of those alone - almost as many as the entire Swifts team across the opening month.

Their ability to work that ball back up the court and put it in the goal though is not in the Vixens’ league and while they are sitting in third place on the ladder, it’s probably why they went down to them by a single goal in round 2 in their only loss this season.

MATCH PREVIEWS

Round 5

FRIDAY

Fever v Firebirds at RAC Arena, Perth, 8.30pm

Firebirds shooter Donnell Wallam always puts in a strong showing in her home state. Picture: Getty Images

The unbeaten Fever will hand nominated athlete Ruth Aryang, the younger sister of Diamonds defender Sunday, a potential Super Netball debut after she was named in the match day squad to face the Firebirds. With both teams coming off a five-day turnaround in the one-off Friday night fixture, the Fever have rested veteran midcourter Kelsey Browne, who has had a heavy workload over the first month of the season. The Fever are unbeaten but will face a stern test from the improving Firebirds, whose shooter Donnell Wallam always puts in a strong showing in her home state.

SATURDAY

Mavericks v Thunderbirds at John Cain Arena, Melbourne, 5pm

The Mavericks have been buoyed by their first win and will head into the encounter against the Thunderbirds with plenty of confidence. How much time champion goaler Eleanor Cardwell can spend on court after injuring her ankle last week will be pivotal. The T-Birds are playing like defending champions and the battle between their star defenders and the Mavs shooters will determine the outcome of the game.

Giants v Lightning at Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, 7pm

Sophie Dwyer in action for the Giants, who are yet to win a game this season. Picture: Getty Images

The Giants are desperate for a win after starting the season 0-4 and looking at times like they have few answers. They should meet an equally desperate Lightning outfit given the fancied Queenslanders’ poor start to the year. In a game shaping as a real scrap, the Lightning should be able to rediscover their mojo if they can return to the conversion rates they enjoyed in the opening round of the season.

SUNDAY

Swifts v Vixens at Ken Rosewall Arena, 2pm

The Swifts need to rediscover the consistency that pushed them into the grand final last year if they are to be able to compete with the unbeaten Vixens. Helen Housby was shut out of last week’s game against the Fever and the Vixens defenders will no doubt be out to repeat the dose. The Swifts have been solid without being spectacular so far and need to turn the corner to remain in the top four.