Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The critics wrote West Coast off early, but coach Dan Ryan is proud of the way his players defied the doubters to thrive in a “rollercoaster” campaign.
Ryan’s side beat the Melbourne Mavericks 56-52 in Perth on Sunday to book their spot in Saturday night’s preliminary final against arch rivals the Melbourne Vixens at John Cain Arena.
The Vixens are on a four-game losing streak, with the defending champions licking their wounds following Sunday’s 58-44 loss to the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the major semi-final.
West Coast beat the Vixens by nine goals in Melbourne two weeks ago, and are backing themselves to win again in what would set up a grand final against the Thunderbirds, who have lost just once this season.
The fact Fever are still alive is a big shock to many given the challenges they’ve faced this year.
Superstar goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard (pregnancy) has missed the entire season, gun defender Sunday Aryang was also ruled out of the campaign after rupturing her ACL while on Diamonds duty, and her sister Ruth Aryang missed half the season while recovering from an achilles tear.
Alice Teague-Neeld has missed matches as well due to a lingering back issue, with the host of injuries and absences forcing Ryan to dig deep into his bag of tricks.
“It’s incredible, to be honest, that we’re here,” Ryan said.
“We knew what the chat was on the outside, that not many people were giving us a chance with those big outs.
“But there’s something about our club that demands a level of performance, and irrespective of who wears the dress, you stand up and you show up.”
Romelda Aiken-George came out of retirement to replace Fowler-Nembhard, while the return of Sasha Glasgow after her two-year stint at the Mavericks has also been crucial to the Fever’s success.
“We’ve had so many challenges this year,” Ryan said. “It’s been an absolute roller coaster, one of the hardest I think we’ve had in a long, long time.
“But hopefully we’re seeing the fruits of the labour – we’re really starting to see the group stand up in tough moments.
“And to be in a preliminary final, and to be playing great netball right now, and believing that there’s more in us – I think it’s a great spot to be in.”
The Vixens upset the Fever 59-58 in last year’s grand final, but West Coast now have the chance to exact sweet revenge against the out-of-form defending champions.
