Fowler-Nembhard inspires Fever breakthrough over Vixens
Anna Harrington |
Superstar goaler Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has made a scintillating return, sinking 59 goals to lead the West Coast Fever to a 67-57 victory over the Melbourne Vixens for their first win of the Super Netball season.
Jamaican star Fowler-Nembhard was originally due to miss the entire season through pregnancy, announced in December, but suffered a miscarriage in January.
After spending time away from netball, the 35-year-old informed the Fever of her intent to return and went through an intensive training program, before being declared available for Sunday’s game at John Cain Arena.
The 198cm powerhouse won the league’s MVP award five years in a row from 2018-22, and has led the league in scoring for the past seven years.
Fowler-Nembhard, who missed the Fever’s opening two defeats, looked like she hadn’t missed a beat.
The goal shooter was simply electric as she worked over Rudi Ellis, inspiring a scintillating second-quarter burst that put her team on top.
Fowler-Nembhard made the most of superb performances from centre Jordan Cransberg, goal attack Shanice Beckford (6/10 shots, 20 goal assists) and wing attack Alice Teague-Neeld (22 goal assists).
“It felt really good to get out there with the girls and play some really good netball,” Fowler-Nembhard told Fox Sports.
“Definitely the work rate from defence into attack was brilliant today, the best I’ve ever seen. They just made my job easier today.
“The two first games that we lost, I reckon we did that to ourselves.
“It was just for us to get back into what we know we can do and that’s the work rate and everything else to get the goals going. But I reckon we’re back.”
At times, Fowler-Nembhard was double-teamed by both Ellis and Jo Weston but still won out.
The Fever were without Sunday Aryang (ankle), who joined sister Ruth (achilles) on the sidelines.
Vixens star Kiera Austin was everywhere early, as the home side led by a point at quarter-time.
But after the break the Fever exploded, and Fowler-Nembhard couldn’t be stopped as they shot out to an 11-goal lead, while Kadie Ann-Dehaney and Fran Williams largely contained Austin (14/18) and Sophie Garbin (14/16).
Jo Weston shifted to wing defence, Kate Eddy moving to goal defence and Maggie Caris later replacing Ellis, while Lily Graham (11/13) nailed two Super Shots in quick succession to cut the half-time margin to six.
But the Fever restored their 10-goal lead at three-quarter time and the Vixens had no answers.
The Fever (1-2) next host the Sunshine Coast Lightning on Saturday, then the Vixens (1-2) play the Melbourne Mavericks next Sunday.
AAP
