West Coast Fever returned to form in the most destructive of fashion, belting a hapless Queensland Firebirds by 18 goals at Nissan Arena on Sunday.
Coming off consecutive defeats and only one win from their past four games, Fever were in ominous form from the opening whistle to record a blistering 69-51 victory.
Fever’s intents were clear early, scoring the first five goals on their way to a 10-goal lead at the first break to all but put the result beyond doubt.
The listless Firebirds were outclassed, outmuscled and outworked by a relentless West Coast outfit who gained a valuable percentage boost as they look to a home final.
Fever were on track for a record win when they led by 28 goals at three-quarter time but they took the foot off the gas in the final quarter with the damage well and truly done.
Goal attack Sasha Glasgow found some much-needed form with 18 goals including three super goals as well as 19 goal assists, while Romelda Aiken-George was dominant against her former side with 46 goals from 51 attempts.
In defence, Kadie-Ann Dehaney was crucial with three gains and three deflections, while Jordan Cransberg had 16 goal assists, 37 feeds, two intercepts and two gains in an important mid-court role.
Fever coach Dan Ryan swapped things up in the final term, resting Glasgow and Cransberg which proved costly on the scoreboard as the Firebirds won the quarter by 10 to bring some respectability back to the margin.
It came from an incredible 15 minutes from Firebird shooter Mary Cholhok who scored 19 goals including four super goals, while wing attack Maddy Gordon was impressive with 11 goal assists from 17 feeds.
Fever will now turn their attention to the Melbourne Mavericks at RAC Arena on Saturday night, with a win to secure them third spot with two rounds remaining.
