Jhaniele Fowler going for goal. Photo: @SuperNetball on twitter
The West Coast Fever has continued its fine form in season 2021, keeping their undefeated run going after a win over the Queensland Firebirds at Nissan Arena (79-69).
Fever goaler Jhaniele Fowler and Coach Stacey Marinkovich spoke post match on the win
Firebirds brought the pressure early but Fowler says that’s something that the Fever have been working on at training
“It’s something we practice every day at training to weather the storm and when we’re under pressure keep going and keep grinding.
“It’s about our skills and our way of playing so if we execute while we’re playing, I reckon whatever pressure is brought to us we can sustain ourselves.”
Coach Stacey Marinkovich was pleased with how her side closed out the quarters.
“I think the Firebirds pushed us to the absolute limit and we just know how good they are at scoring and how ferocious they are in defence,” Marinkovich said post-match.
“We knew we had to be on song to get anything flowing our way and you saw a game that went with ebbs and flows and the way we were closing out quarters, I was really pleased with the girls’ discipline.”
The connection between the Fever’s attackers and defenders were on song today, which allowed free-flowing movement up the court.
“It’s actually our backline and our front line working well as a team in attack and that’s what we’re talking about a lot at the moment is getting the connection.
“It’s the attacking defenders that help the momentum that way and our attackers helping out defenders getting the ball.
“When you’ve got that cohesion out on court you feel protected, and you also get a lot of confidence to keep executing skill and I think we did that for a large period of time tonight.”
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The Fever had to start behind the eight ball by being deducted twelve points at the start of the season due to salary cap breaches but Marinkovich was quick to say that that doesn’t drive her side’s performance.
“I think the situation doesn’t drive the performance, from a performance team and players we’ve always wanted to play to a certain standard and it’s been some time in the making.
“We came off a grand final which is hunger in itself, we’ve had a few changes to our line-up which has brought a freshness to it.
“So, I think the situation isn’t drive the performance but the culture within of being better is.
“It’s not easy, you are under pressure each week to step out there and perform but we work towards uncomfortable situations.
“We embrace moments and we celebrate those successes as well we’re are very quick to get to the next one sometimes, I think we’re getting better at enjoying the moments.”
The Fever have a week off before taking on the Melbourne Vixens at RAC Arena on Sunday the 27th of June.
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