West Coast Fever coach Dan Ryan did not mince words after his side suffered a humiliating 10-goal defeat to the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Super Netball 2026, describing the performance as 'awful'. The Fever went down 72-62 at Adelaide's Priceline Stadium on Saturday night, a result that leaves them languishing near the bottom of the ladder.
Ryan's Blunt Assessment
Ryan, known for his passionate coaching style, expressed deep disappointment in his team's effort. 'That was an awful performance, plain and simple. We lacked intensity, we made basic errors, and we let the Thunderbirds dictate the game from start to finish,' he said in his post-match press conference. 'We are better than that, but tonight we didn't show it.'
Defensive Woes
The Fever's defensive unit came under heavy scrutiny, with the Thunderbirds' shooters combining for 72 goals at an accuracy rate of over 90%. Ryan highlighted the need for a drastic improvement in defensive pressure. 'Our defensive connection was non-existent. We allowed them easy access to the circle, and when they got there, we gave them too much time and space. That's something we need to fix immediately,' he said.
Injury Concerns
Compounding the Fever's woes was an injury to key midcourter Verity Charles, who limped off in the third quarter with a suspected ankle issue. Ryan confirmed Charles would undergo scans but remained hopeful it was not a long-term problem. 'Verity is a crucial part of our structure, so losing her mid-game was a blow. But we cannot use that as an excuse for the overall performance,' he added.
Thunderbirds' Dominance
The Thunderbirds, led by goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell's 45 goals, controlled the contest from the outset. Coach Tania Obst praised her team's composure. 'We knew West Coast would come out hard, but we stuck to our game plan and executed well. The defensive pressure was outstanding,' Obst said.
Looking Ahead
With the Fever now facing a must-win clash against the Melbourne Vixens next round, Ryan called for a response from his players. 'We have to look ourselves in the mirror. This is not acceptable. We need to show character and bounce back,' he said. The Fever will also monitor Charles' fitness ahead of the critical fixture.
- Key Stats: Thunderbirds shot at 92% accuracy; Fever's defensive rebounds were down 40%.
- Next Match: West Coast Fever vs. Melbourne Vixens, Sunday 5 March at RAC Arena.
Fever fans will be hoping for a swift turnaround as the season progresses, but Ryan's blunt assessment has set the tone for urgent improvements.
