Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
West Coast Fever are a win away from a fifth grand final berth in their history, outclassing a physical and frustrated Melbourne Mavericks by four goals in a thrilling minor semifinal.
After a slow start, Fever fought back to gain control of the match and ensure the Mavericks wouldn’t taste victory in their first finals appearance, winning 56-52 in front of 12,332 at RAC Arena.
Fever will now head east for the preliminary final, taking on arch-rivals and reigning premiers the Melbourne Vixens at John Cain Arena on Saturday night in a rematch of last year’s grand final. The victor will face Adelaide in this season’s decider.
Young defender Ruth Aryang (four gains and three deflections) was the catalyst for the comeback after quarter-time, with her athleticism and talent causing havoc for the visitors’ ball movement when she was injected into the game.
Fever were on top whenever the young goalkeeper was on court, challenging Mavericks shooter Shimona Nelson (33 goals at 100 per cent accuracy) who had no answer for her dominance.
At the other end of the court, Fever shooters Romelda Aiken-George (42 goals from 46 attempts) and Sasha Glasgow (14 goals including eight super goals) held their nerve against the brutality of former West Coast defender Kim Brown as well as Jessie Grenvold and Charlotte Sexton.
Fever were error-riddled early, coughing up a whopping seven of their 17 general play turnovers in the first term as they struggled to deal with the Mavericks’ physicality.
For much of the first half, they were kept in the game by the accuracy of Glasgow and Aiken-George, who didn’t miss until the former went for a mid-range shot midway through the second term.
The Mavericks’ pressure caused Fever to be too hesitant when trying to move the ball and meant Aiken-George couldn’t take advantage of her height advantage against goalkeeper Grenvold.
Ryan pulled a switch in defence during the second term, benching star goalkeeper Kadie-Ann Dehaney in favour of youngster Aryang and was instantly rewarded with the youngster pulling off a fantastic intercept and gain.
Down by four goals at the first break, Fever calmed, and they began to turn the momentum of the match to lead by one goal at half-time.
After an indifferent first half, Fever goal defender Fran Williams became a significant factor in the third term with two important gains which both led to goals as the home side took total control.
Down by four goals at the final change, the Mavericks injected Uneeq Palavi into goalshooter as they desperately tried to find a game-changer with their season slipping away.
It mattered little early in the last as Fever dominated, blowing the lead out to 11 goals as they looked well on their way to a comfortable win.
However, errors again crept in, and the Mavericks began to fire from super goal range, getting within three goals with 90 seconds left.
Melbourne had too much do though, with Fever holding on for a big finals win as they now hunt for a second premiership in club history.
