West Coast Fever head coach Dan Ryan was effusive in his praise of Jamaican goal-scoring machine Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, after she inspired her team to a commanding 75-66 win over GIANTS Netball in a spirited contest at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday.
The dominant shooter delivered yet another masterclass, as she scored a phenomenal 63 goals from 66 attempts to lead the Fever to their fifth straight win since her return, and in the process, etched her name further into the history books by surpassing 9,000 national league goals.
"She’s amazing. The way she’s come back this season and what she brings to our team—her leadership, her presence, her dominance, her spirit — it’s just incredible. We’re truly privileged to have her," Ryan said post-match.
"This is just another record to add to the long list she already holds. She genuinely is one of the greatest this sport has ever seen, and we’re so proud of everything she’s achieved and continues to do," he added.
Fowler-Nembhard is all smiles. (Photos: Getty Images)
Fowler-Nembhard had ample support from fellow Jamaican Shanice Beckford, who netted two goals from four attempts under the post and added two flawless two-point super shots. Olivia Wilkinson also contributed, hitting two of three super shots and converting two of three attempts under the post.
With the win, Fever tightened their grip on second place in the standings, now on 20 points, eight behind unbeaten leaders NSW Swifts. Meanwhile, the GIANTS, who slumped to their sixth defeat of the season, are rooted at the bottom with just four points.
The visitors came out of the gates firing and quickly established a four-goal cushion as the GIANTS missed early chances. Fever’s defensive duo of Sunday Aryang and Fran Williams applied immense pressure, disrupting the GIANTS' rhythm and holding them scoreless for the first five minutes.
Matisse Letherbarrow (left) and Fever's Fran Williams.
In the shooting circle, Fowler-Nembhard was businesslike as she brought up her historic 9,000th goal with her 12th of the quarter. In fact, Fever were flawless in the first stanza in which they scored 21 goals from 21 attempts to take a commanding eight-goal lead at the first break.
The second quarter saw a revitalized GIANTS outfit return to the court. A reshuffled lineup sparked a resurgence, with Maddie Hay making an immediate impact at wing attack. She linked well with Matisse Letherbarrow, who began to find her range as the GIANTS clawed their way back into the contest to cut the deficit to just four at 40-36 at halftime.
Letherbarrow finished with 36 goals from 40 attempts and eight super shots from 12, while Sophie Dwyer added eight goals and two super shots of her own.
Fowler-Nembhard takes aim as compatriot Jodi-Ann Ward (right) of GIANTS looks on.
The third term saw the GIANTS draw level for the first time, aided by a few rare misses from Fowler-Nembhard. However, disaster struck for the GIANTS when Jamaican defender Jodi-Ann Ward went down clutching her knee.
Ward briefly returned, heavily strapped, before eventually being replaced by debutant Aimee Landrigan. Still, Fever showed their class as Wilkinson drained back-to-back super shots, and Fowler-Nembhard steadied the ship with clinical finishes as they remained on top at 60-55 heading into the final quarter.
In the final 15 minutes, Fever slowed the tempo and controlled the ball with ruthless efficiency. Despite Ward’s courageous return, the GIANTS struggled to keep up as Ryan’s side dictated the pace to the end.