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Jhaniele Fowler dominates to lead West Coast Fever past Melbourne Vixens

Headshot of Mitchell Woodcock
Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
Jhaniele Fowler starred for Fever.
Camera IconJhaniele Fowler starred for Fever. Credit: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Shooting superstar Jhaniele Fowler has powered West Coast Fever to a convincing 64-50 win over reigning premiers Melbourne Vixens at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena on Thursday.

After a tight first quarter, Fever and Fowler blew the game open in a dominant second term, which they won by 12 goals, ensuring the bottom-placed Vixens only delayed the inevitable after refusing to fly to Perth for their round eight clash last month.

Fowler was forced to carry the shooting load after in-form goal-attack Sasha Glasgow was ruled out of the clash with a foot injury, with defender Shannon Eagland coming into the team.

The three-time reigning league MVP had no problem carrying the burden, scoring 58 goals at 98 per cent accuracy, looking on track at half-time to break her record of 70 goals in an individual game she set last year.

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It looked as if the game was going one way when Fever led 11-5 after the first seven minutes.

The resilient Vixens rallied and pulled the margin back to two goals at the first break, but this would be the last of their resistance, as Fever controlled much of the rest of the match.

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It all started in a dominant second quarter when Fever forced Vixens into seven turnovers, while captain and goalkeeper Courtney Bruce (nine gains, six intercepts and eight deflections) was picking off any errant passes with three gains and two intercepts.

Meanwhile, Fowler was simply too dominant in attack with a whopping 20 goals for the quarter as they seemingly put the result beyond doubt by the main break with a 38-24 lead.

Melbourne found another level in the third term and began to try to mow down the lead, but once the Fever implemented their full-court moving defence, they regained control.

The contest got physical as well, with Fever midcourt star Jess Anstiss colliding with Melbourne star Kate Moloney twice in the term in a brutal contest.

Fever slowed down in the final term as they prepare for what is set to be a condensed fixture to finish the season, benching Bruce and goal attack Alice Teague-Neeld, with the Vixens hitting late super shots to bring the margin back.

The win has Fever just four premiership points off first spot, with clashes against Collingwood, Queensland Firebirds and the ladder-leaders Giants to finish the season.

Super Netball is yet to reveal when round 12 will be played, with murmurs Fever could play as soon as Monday.

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