West Coast Fever break through for maiden Super Netball title in dominant display over Vixens

The West Coast Fever ended 25 years of heartbreak and disappointment to break through for their first national netball championship.

In front of a sell-out crowd at RAC Arena the Fever dominated against the Vixens, backing up their stunning performance in the semi-final and getting revenge for two years ago.

Geraldton’s Emma Cosh becomes the first Geraldton-born player to be part of a premiership win following a heartbreaking loss in 2020, although her skills were not needed in the decider as the Fever led for almost the entire game.

Cosh had spoken last week of some of the areas the Fever had worked on since 2020 particularly around the use of the Super Shot, and it was telling that Sahsa Glasgow sunk multiple shots in the first half to open up a break against the Vixens.

She also spoke of flexibility to be a key to success and once again Glasgow typified this attitude. For most of the season Glasgow’s role is to set up Jhaniele Fowler, but on Sunday she took on a more attacking role meaning the Vixens had to defend against two big threats instead of one.

It allowed the Fever to control the game and coupled with a typically elite performance from Fowler who shot 58 from 59 attempts the Vixens simply had no answers.

It gives WA their first ever netball championship at the third time of asking and could launch a dominant era for the team.

After beginning life as the Perth Orioles in 1997 and spending most of that time circling the bottom of the ladder the team has appeared in the decider three times in the past five years and is a regular finals contender.

Now having finally broken through for their first title it could usher in a new era for the team, but for now they will bask in the glory with the emotion of the win summed up by Fever captain Courtney Bruce.

“This is a fairytale, I bleed green and all of that previous heartbreak was 100 per cent worth it,” Bruce said.

“They say life is meant to have its ups and downs, but I would go through everything again to make sure that we were standing here today with a premiership and with this medal around my neck.”