ANZ Netball Championship - Fever (57) defeated Firebirds (50

Media Release
Sunday 1 March 2015

Official Result & Statistics

Official Result: West Coast Fever (57) defeated Mission Queensland Firebirds (50)

A new-look West Coast Fever promised the start of new era when stunning the Mission Queensland Firebirds 57-50 in a high octane first-up clash to open their season in Brisbane on Sunday.

Securing their first win on the road in almost two years, there was plenty to admire about the Fever’s play, demeanour and execution in showing they will be a force to be reckoned with after holding a quality Firebirds outfit at bay.

Gone from previous years was the tendency to buckle under pressure and lack of consistency which has dogged them so often. It was instead replaced with a calmness and ability to absorb pressure and respond in kind.

Fever held their nerve down the home straight when the Firebirds threw everything out them, whittling down a nine-goal deficit to four before the previously under-achieving Fever showed their intent for 2015 with a bold showing to deny the home team.

Fever shooter Caitlin Bassett was a standout contributor in nailing 44 goals during the match while foundation player Stacey Rosman received the ultimate reward in her first game as coach.

The visitors impressed with their composure and execution during an entertaining opening quarter, bouncing back from an early three-goal deficit to end the stanza on top.

Celebrating her 100th ANZ Championship appearance, Firebirds’ prolific shooter Romelda Aiken had her work cut out when matching up against the equally tall figure of Erena Mikaere, the first New Zealand import to line up for an Australian team in the ANZ Championship.

Opposing shooter Basset was in the groove early, sinking all 10 attempts that came her way, a late surge giving the Fever a 14-11 lead at the first break.

The visitors got off to a flyer on the resumption, pulling out to a six-goal advantage before the home side raised their intensity with a telling response.

With a low first quarter conversion rate, Amy Wild replaced a struggling Gretel Tippett at goal attack for the Firebirds which added much-needed impetus on attack while the defensive efforts of Gabi Simpson, Clare McMeniman and ever-present captain Laura Geitz paid dividends.

Stalling Fever’s momentum, the added pressure landed turnover ball for Geitz and Simpson which was duly converted by the increasingly prominent Aiken. Struggling to penetrate through the midcourt, hesitancy crept into Fever’s game, the Firebirds turning their period of dominance into a 26-25 lead at the main break.

Both teams made changes for the second half, the most significant being the introduction of veteran defender Rebecca Bulley, another Firebird celebrating the 100-game milestone.

However, it was the growing maturity of the Fever side which silenced the sell-out crowd with a storming response. Showing their new-found resolve, the visitor’s refused to buckle under the home team’s pressure as they dished out some of their own.

With new captain Ashleigh Brazill moving to centre and delivering quality ball to Bassett, who delivered with a 15-goal haul during the stanza, Fever moved into overdrive. At the other end, Mikaere, still finding her feet with her new team, produced a strong effort to shut down Firebirds opportunities and the influence of the dangerous Aiken.

The visitors turned the game on its head when leading 43-35 at the last break.

Fever shooting statistics:
Caitlin Bassett 44/47 (93%)
Natalie Medhurst 13/16 (81%)

Firebirds shooting statistics:
Romelda Aiken 36/44 (81%)
Amy Wild 10/10 (100%)
Gretel Tippett 4/8 (50%)

Match MVP: Caitlin Bassett (Fever)

ENDS

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