The Fevers were defeated by the Firebirds last weekend.

Fever has tough start to 2025 

Fever fell to the Firebirds in Brisbane, with Ruth Aryang starring late, but unable to close the gap in a 13-goal loss.
April 17, 2025

WEST Coast Fever have suffered their second loss of the season to a clinical Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane.

Fever started slowly and didn’t recover as the Firebirds controlled the first three quarters and led by 15 goals at three-quarter-time.

The visitors lifted in the final quarter as youngsters Jordan Cransberg and Ruth Aryang of Midland found an extra gear.

The youngest Aryang sister dominated the last quarter with four gains, three intercepts and a deflection.

Fever got to within 10 goals at the start of power five in the last quarter but it was the Firebirds who withheld the charge to record a 13-goal win.

The height of Firebirds star recruit, goal shooter Mary Cholhok, proved hard for Fever to stop as the Ugandan finished with 42 goals from 49 attempts.

While Fever tried to double team Cholhok to force goal attack Emily Moore to shoot from longer range, she was up to the task finishing with 17 goals at 71 per cent.

Cholhok also controlled the air, pulling in a massive eight rebounds for the match as Fever’s defence recorded one.

At the other end of the court, Fever will rue turnovers and missed shots as the visitors turned the ball over 20 times.

Olivia Wilkinson led the scoring for Fever finishing with 38 goals with one supershot. Supported by MJ Kumwenda (7-9), Shanice Beckford (5-7), and Alice Teague-Neeld (one supershot).

Teague-Neeld was moved into goal attack for a brief period in the second quarter as coach Dan Ryan shuffled the bibs to try and find a solution to the Fever’s connection around circle edge.

Fever now have a week off before they travel to Melbourne to face the Vixens on Sunday, April 27.

West Coast Fever lost their opening game of the 2025 season by 18 goals to the NSW Swifts.

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