By Caitlin Greenwood
The West Coast Fever have extended their winning streak to four with a composed 67–61 victory over the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Saturday night.
It took seven and a half minutes for the deadlock to break between the Thunderbirds and Fever, with the visitors striking first.
Kadie-Ann Dehaney was a defensive force early, frustrating Romelda Aiken-George and disrupting the Thunderbirds’ attack. Adelaide found some momentum in the Power Five, with Lauren Frew keeping them in touch and narrowing the gap to two.
Fever, however, remained composed, steadily building their lead through consistent one-point goals. Jordan Cransberg’s tireless efforts in the centre, tallying seven assists and three gains, helped propel the Fever to a five-goal lead at the first break.
The Adelaide Entertainment Centre came to life in the second quarter as the Thunderbirds began to settle.
However, three consecutive goals from the visitors ahead of the Power Five was enough for coach Tania Obst to call a tactical timeout. Key changes followed, with Latanya Wilson moving to goal keeper and Georgie Horjus into goal attack in a bid to shift momentum.
A crucial intercept from Matilda Garrett provided the spark Adelaide needed, with Frew and Horjus capitalising at the other end — both landing timely super shots. Horjus added a composed one-point goal on the buzzer to close out the quarter.
While Fever had controlled much of the match, six second-quarter turnovers opened the door for the Thunderbirds, who claimed the term 19–16 to trail by just two at half-time.
Jordan Cransberg delivered a standout performance for West Coast Fever.Adelaide made a flat start to the third quarter, unable to find the rhythm that had brought them back into the contest.
A flying intercept from Wilson lifted the crowd, but the Thunderbirds failed to convert. Fever introduced Liv Wilkinson into goal attack and continued to assert their control, pulling out to a nine-goal lead by the start of the Power Five.
As Adelaide struggled with unforced errors, Fever piled on seven unanswered goals to extend the margin to 12, prompting a delayed tactical timeout. Frew landed some much-needed super shots after the break, but the damage had been done as Fever closed out a dominant quarter to lead 53–43.
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard remained a dominant presence under the post for Fever, shooting at 91 per cent, while Latanya Wilson continued to work tirelessly in defence for Adelaide.
Trailing by nine, Horjus kept hunting and sinking the long-range attempts, finishing with 5/7 from super shots. A held ball from Fever offered Adelaide a late boost, and another Horjus super shot with two minutes left brought the Thunderbirds within three, prompting a final timeout from Dan Ryan.
Adelaide won the quarter 18–14 in a spirited final push, but Fever held their nerve to close out a 67–61 win.
In a standout performance which included 20 assists and two intercepts, Jordan Cransberg was named Player of the Match.
