The NSW Swifts’ chances of a top-two Suncorp Super Netball regular-season finish have taken a big blow after they went down 80-71 to the West Coast Fever at Nissan Arena in Brisbane.
The loss means the Premiers have dropped to third on the competition ladder after being leapfrogged by their West Australian opponents.
The reigning champions are still well in the hunt to make Finals, needing just one win from their last two games to guarantee themselves a playoff spot, however, they will need other results to go their way if they are to gain the option of a second chance in the business end.
The loss was the Swifts’ third on the bounce and they must regroup ahead of next weekend's Round 13 clash with the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Cairns.
The Swifts were able to secure some early turnover possession but couldn't convert their chances when given the opportunity to open up a lead.
The Fever harried well in defence, forcing the Swifts to make passes that weren't on and pretty soon they started to show dominance on the scoreboard.
Jhaniele Fowler was proving hard to stop but three Sam Wallace Suncorp Super Shots meant the Premiers were still in the contest despite being eight goals down at the first break.
NSW secured turnover possession again early in the second quarter to get back within striking distance but loose passing in attack, forced by strong defence from Courtney Bruce and Stacey Francis, allowed the West Australians to regain the upper hand and extend their lead to 10.
The margin going into halftime could have been worse for the Swifts but they rallied in the Rebel Power Play to setup Wallace for two successful Super Shots which leveled the quarter 16-all and kept the gap at eight.
The Swifts needed a strong start to the second half but instead it was the Fever who looked more composed and comfortable in their play.
Bruce and Sunday Aryang disrupted everything in the Swifts' attack end, while the West Coast attack was patient when finding a path to Fowler.
Midway through the third quarter the Fever were content to keep the scoreboard ticking over and their double-digit lead intact.
Wallace and Sophie Garbin combined well for flurry of Super Shots late in third Power Play but at the final break the Swifts were down by 10 and in need of a massive fourth quarter to have any hope of winning the game.
The Premiers started the final quarter with huge intensity in attack and defence and led the period 9-4 midway through it to get back within five an giving themselves a shot at taking the contest.
With the Swifts on a roll the Fever called a timeout to stem the tide and it worked when they secured a midcourt turnover to take their lead back out to seven.
A held ball against Jess Anstiss got the Swifts back within four but another loose ball off NSW's next centre pass meant the Premiers couldn't make the inroads needed.
In the end they had to rely on Super Shots and while Wallace got them back within three, Alice Teague-Neeld held her nerve at the death to score some of her own and deny the miracle comeback the Swifts looked like they were about to engineer.
Quarter by Quarter Scores
SWIFTS | Q1: 15, Q2: 31 (16), 51 (20), 71 (20)
FEVER | Q1: 23, Q2: 39 (16), 61 (22), 80 (19)
Starting Teams
SWIFTS | GS Sophie Garbin, GA Natalie Hathornthwaite, WA Maddy Proud, C Paige Hadley, WD Sophie Craig, GD Sarah Klau, GK Lauren Moore
Reserves used: Sam Wallace, Tayla Fraser, Maddy Turner
FEVER | GS Jhaniele Fowler, GA Alice Teague-Neeld, WA Emma Cosh, C Verity Charles, WD Jessica Anstiss, GD Stacey Francis, GK Courtney Bruce
Reserves used: Sunday Aryang
Match Stats: View full match stats here
