Netball
AAP 6y

Revitalised Fever taking all before them

Netball

They won two games in the inaugural Super Netball season but coach Stacey Marinkovic was willing to back in largely the same West Coast Fever group.

Now she is reaping the rewards four rounds into the 2018 campaign.

Fever finished with an unimpressive 2-12 record in the 2017 Super Netball season but there was no panic from the club.

They did add Jamaican shooting superstar Jhaniele Fowler who has gone on to score 54 more goals than anyone else this season with 220 over Fever's victories against the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Collingwood Magpies, Sunshine Coast Lightning and NSW Swifts.

But it's much more than just her presence, with Nat Medhurst her prefect partner in crime, helping drive the 4-0 start.

The defence of Courtney Bruce and Stacey Francis has been phenomenal in combining for 38 deflections and 28 intercepts while the unheralded midcourt of Verity Charles, Jess Anstiss and Ingrid Colyer is more than getting the job done.

Marinkovic couldn't be happier with what the team is delivering, especially those players through the middle and Bruce who she has no doubt should be seen as Australia's best goalkeeper.

"I've always loved the quality that we've got in the midcourt and they are very much a unit in the way that they play," Marinkovic said.

"Their defensive pressure as a group is really good and so is their backing of each other. They have great connection and real trust.

"I'd say she (Bruce) is the No.1 keeper. With the amount of ball she gets and her versatility out there, and she has a great attacking brand as well. She is continuously evolving and she's never satisfied with what she puts out there.

"She really does build the combination with the ones around her and her and Stacey are really switching well. Then we have our mix up between Jess and Shannon (Eagland) on our wing defence as well."

Fever took another seven of a possible eight points in a 63-54 win over the Swifts in Perth on Sunday meaning not only have they won all four games in 2018, but also 12 of a possible 16 quarters.

They face another test this Saturday against the Queensland Firebirds on the road, but Marinkovic couldn't fault how West Coast have started the season.

"To get seven points again shows that our brand is building but it's really hard," Marinkovic said.

"You can't take any wins for granted and we understand that because of the road we are travelling. It's hard fought the whole way."

^ Back to Top ^