West Coast Fever fall to Giants by one goal, knocked off top of Super Netball table

West Coast Fever’s thrilling one-goal loss to bogey side Giants was a “tough pill to swallow” for coach Dan Ryan.

The Fever went into the game without goal attack Sasha Glasgow and Jess Anstiss because of COVID protocols, and it took them a half to settle without two of their starting seven.

A 25-goal third quarter brought the visitors back into the match, but costly turnovers late in the game cost them dearly as they lost 74-73 at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday, conceding top spot on the ladder in the process.

“I am proud of the fightback but not pleased we put ourselves in that position after the first 30 minutes,” Ryan said.

“We had an exceptional third quarter and obviously in a grind in the last quarter going goal-for-goal, and we lacked a bit of poise and composure in the last moments of the game to close it out.

“Plenty of lessons and learnings to take away from that one, but certainly a tough pill to swallow.”

Giants star Jo Harten put on a masterclass with 34 goals, alongside goal attack Sophie Dwyer (40 goals), while also keeping Fever captain Courtney Bruce to just three gains and no intercepts for the match.

It was all Giants in a strong first half, which had them lead by five goals at the main break as Fever struggled to score.

Ryan was doing all he could from the sidelines to shift the momentum, even benching centre Verity Simmons and handing training partner Zoe Cransberg her first Super Netball minutes in the second quarter.

But it was the introduction of dual international Chelsea Pitman (18 feeds and 12 goal assists) that pulled Fever into the lead for the first time in the game during the third quarter.

Pitman’s vision helped Fever open up the front half of their court and allowed Jhaniele Fowler to get in the match, as she scored 21 of her 62 goals for the term.

It was the Giants who held their nerve in a thrilling last quarter, with Fowler and Simmons coughing up two vital turnovers, which allowed the home side to regain the lead and hold on for their third win of the season.

Ryan was unsure if Glasgow and Anstiss would be available for their clash against the Adelaide Thunderbirds at Netball SA Stadium on Saturday.

Collingwood Magpies have put their Super Netball season back on track with a 67-59 upset win over the Queensland Firebirds.