NSW Swifts Vs. West Coast Fever Official Result

NSW Swifts Vs. West Coast Fever Official Result & Statistics

Official Result: NSW Swifts (63) def West Coast Fever (56)

An impressive NSW Swifts will host the Australian Conference Elimination Final against the same opponents after delivering a superbly executed 63-56 win over the West Coast Fever in Perth on Saturday.

The Swifts showed their great depth of talent and experience with a composed and controlled exhibition of netball to absorb everything the Fever could throw at them.

The home team had their moments but could not sustain the Swifts relentless control and execution as the visitors went on to snatch second place in the Australian Conference in the final round of the regular season.

The win has earned the Swifts home court advantage in their rematch with the Fever on Friday in the elimination final at Sydney Olympic Park.

There were no surprises in the Fever starting line-up, captain Ashleigh Brazill taking up the centre bib, Shae Brown slotting in at wing defence and the towering Erena Mikaere picking up the goal keeper bib.

In big blow, the Swifts were forced into the match without influential mid-courter and captain Kimberlee Green, who was left out in a precautionary move after suffering a slight calf tweak at training.

That meant Paige Hadley (wing attack), Jade Clarke (centre) and Abbey McCulloch (wing defence), forming a new-look midcourt for the visitors in front of 1a record crowd of 9703 fans for an ANZ Championship match in Perth.

The visitors made a seamless start to hold the edge through a high tempo and entertaining first stanza. In-form Swifts defender Sharni Layton was an influential presence from the outset with her ability to unsettle the Fever shooters and aerial mastery.

Swifts shooters Caitlin Thwaites and Susan Pettitt shared the shooting load to perfection while Clarke and Hadley showed impressive connections on attack. After the Swifts scored the opening three goals of the match, Fever came back strongly to level proceedings in what developed into an enthralling contest.

From the ensuing goal-for-goal tussle, it was the visitors who finished the stronger, scoring with ease as the Fever paid for a high penalty count, to close out the first stanza with a 17-12 lead.

A change of game plan worked well for the Fever on the resumption with more movement from key shooting weapon Catlin Bassett. That provided greater flow on attack and extra volume where Bassett made no mistake under the hoop while a lift in defensive pressure kept the heat on the Swifts.

Slowly but surely, the Fever ate into the deficit but Thwaites who continued to shine for the Swifts on the back of a well- tuned attack line, helped the visitors head into the main break with their noses just in front when leading 30-29.

Looking for greater drive to the circle edge, the Swifts re-jigged their midcourt for the second half replacing Clarke with Stephanie Wood, from the bench, where she slotted in at wing attack.

Fever pounced as the new line-up settled in, levelling the scores, then hitting the lead for the first time soon after with goal attack Natalie Medhurst providing influence with her variety.

Turnover ball was hard to come by, both teams very good with their ball security but it was the Swifts who absorbed the mounting pressure the better. The experienced visitors remained calm, composed and unruffled to regain the momentum.

Swooping on the few opportunities that presented, it was the visitors who held the upper hand when mustering a 48-44 edge at the last break.

Swifts shooting statistics:
Caitlin Thwaites 35/40 (88%)
Susan Pettitt 28/29 (97%)

Fever shooting statistics:
Caitlin Bassett 44/51 (86%)
Natalie Medhurst 12/15 (80%)

Chemist Warehouse MVP: Caitlin Thwaites (Swifts)

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