The build up somewhat marred the Super Netball decider. But West Coast’s maiden title truly was a Fever dream, entangled with history and a unique sporting subplot.
What spiralled into controversy a month ago has resulted in a huge win for the west. While the process will leave a sour taste in the mouth of many involved, with Western Australia buying hosting rights, the Fever certainly owned the outcome.
And nobody can take away what West Coast managed to achieve. It was a comprehensive 11-point victory over the Melbourne Vixens, claiming an historic maiden Super Netball premiership in the process.
In the club’s 25-year existence, this is its first national title. And there was plenty of pain along the way, falling agonisingly short in three of the past four years.
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— Suncorp Super Netball (@SuperNetball) July 3, 2022
The visitors from Victoria were out to exact that feeling for the Fever, but Sasha Glasgow, Jhaniele Fowler and co looked like a side with near unprecedented levels of motivation.
The fact hosting rights went up for grabs at the back end of the season handed West Coast a truly unique opportunity, leaving as little to chance as physically possible. And the gamble paid off, toppling an undisciplined Melbourne 70-59.
The game was a far cry from their last two Grand Final appearances in 2018 and 2020, falling painfully short of both the Vixens and Sunshine Coast Lightning respectively. In just his first year as head coach, Dan Ryan led the ‘all-in’ campaign, which featured contributors up and down the court.
Sasha Glasgow’s first super goal in the opening quarter helped set up the Fever’s glory. It was her best game of the season, hitting four out of nine super shot attempts and getting 26 goal assists. Glasgow was a deserving Grand Final MVP.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere was also the heroic performance by Jhaniele Fowler. She got hot in the second quarter after a strong tussle with Vixen Jo Weston. Fever’s star goal shooter Fowler showcased why she is one of the best in the league with her 58 goals from 59 attempts during the game. The Jamaican star also helped save two other missed super shots with strong rebounds.
Courtney Bruce played a starring role defensively in her side’s stunning win.
It wasn’t just smooth sailing, Melbourne was always going to come. And the visitors tightened the screws in the second half with handy scoring contributions from Mwai Kumwenda (28) and Kiera Austin (17).
However, it wasn’t enough to stop a fiery Fever side who looked strong across all four quarters. Ultimately, the decider was played in the west and that’s where the title lands, too. After years of Grand Final hardship, West Coast’s ‘all-in’ campaign is vindicated. But maybe this is just the beginning of something.
