West Coast Fever has thrown down the gauntlet to their opponents, rattling off a record 84-65 win over Giants Netball in the Super Netball season opener.
After a hectic recruiting season that saw half their playing roster change, Fever’s premiership chances had been written off early by many pundits.
However few chinks showed in Fever’s armour as they built on an early lead, despite a flurry of supershots from Giants’ Sophie Dwyer.
Fever emptied their bench in a convincing win, despite clearly missing the presence of former captain Courtney Bruce, who defected to Sunshine Coast Lightning during the off-season.
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With a new-look defensive circle still learning to work together, Fever struggled at times to contain the hot hand of Dwyer, who nailed nine supershots.
However, both sides were limited in their ability to strip the opposition of ball. Despite plenty of physical clashes, there was a combined total of just six intercepts across the match.
Giants’ co-captain Jo Harten fired up about her team’s deficiency, yelling, “Get up in their f***ing faces” during a break in play.
Jess Anstiss had a particularly heavy clash after being sandwiched by Giants Chelsea Pitman and Jamie-Lee Price.
Despite missing a kidney, Fever’s new captain didn’t appear to suffer any ill effects and played out the game, leading defensive gains for her side.
Attacking strength won the match with the Giants unable to contain Fever, who opened up a five point lead in the first quarter and built on that across the match.
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard earned her MVP with dominant shooting statistics, sinking 67 points, including some unprecedented long range work with three supershots.
Her connection with Jamaican teammate and new Fever recruit Shanice Beckford was on song from the opening whistle, with their opponents unable to shut the duo down.
Giants’ new co-captain Jamie-Lee Price was among her side’s best.
She had a strong battle against Kelsey Browne, who found a last-minute home with Fever after Collingwood’s demise.
However, it was Fever’s Alice Teague-Neeld who led all-comers in attacking statistics across the match. Wearing her new orange colours, exciting defender Jodi-Ann Ward had a relatively quiet game, finishing with just one gain.
JO IS GO!
Following a lengthy history of knee issues, Jo Harten called time on her decorated 117 cap international career in 2023.
In a coaching capacity, the star shooter helped England to their best ever World Cup finish – a silver medal.
With more time to manage her troublesome joints, Harten was in fine form during Round 1, finishing with 29/34, including five supershots.
STARTLING STATISTICS
Safe hands were the theme of the day for Fever, who had a staggeringly low eight turnovers for the 60 minutes of play.
They also converted a solid 88 per cent of their centre passes, compared to Giants, who still reached a respectable 70 per cent.
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