West Coast Fever and the WA All-Stars mixed team are set to go head to head on Wednesday night for the return of elite netball at RAC Arena.
With this match marking the first time the WA All-Stars will play together as a team, it’s difficult to know what to expect from either side.
There’s no question around the abundance of talent in both team’s line ups, allowing for a number of different combinations and plays.
West Coast Fever Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich said the WA All-Stars team was put together to challenge Fever across a lot of different elements to replicate what they’ll come up against in the Suncorp Super Netball season.
“We’ve got the best of the best from a range of different competitions for the All-Stars side”, said Marinkovich.
“These are players that have been training within our environment for some time and they know Fever’s game plan, so they’ll be able to come out and challenge it as hard as they possibly can.”
Key Match Ups
Goal Keeper v Goal Shooter
Courtney Bruce v Jerome Gillbard / Donnell Wallam
West Coast Fever and Australian Diamonds GK, Bruce, and West Coast Warriors Captain and Australian Mens GS, Gillbard are no strangers on the court, with Gillbard regularly training with the Fever squad. Gillbard is great on the hold, but also moves well outside the circle and brings a high shooting accuracy. This will be a match up to watch as the best from both male and female codes go head to head.
Premiership player Wallam from West Coast Warrior’s Opens team, provides another option for the All-Stars side. Wallam played an exceptional season in her first run at the Gold Industry Group West Australian Netball League scoring her the Jill McIntosh Award for 2019.
The new two-point goal brings a new element into the game and will require Bruce to adapt her defending in the last few minutes of each quarter to minimise the All-Stars' impact.
Centre v Centre
Verity Charles v Dylan McPherson
Charles has established herself as Fever’s go to centre player. The athletic midcourter will be setting herself up for a tough battle against Western Roar’s McPherson who brings speed and agility to the game. McPherson is fast on his feet and has his front-cut down to a tee.
Goal Shooter v Goal Keeper
Jhaniele Fowler v Dravyn Lee-Tauroa
Back to back Suncorp Super Netball MVP, Fowler, continues to reinforce her place as the league’s best Goal Shooter. It will be a tough battle for Curtin Hammersley Comets’ Lee-Tauroa, however his ability to quickly transition from one-on-one defence to hunting outside of the circle, will force Fever to be accurate on their feeds.
There are still a number of great seats available. Secure your seats now.
Click here for tickets.
