Reigning premiers West Coast Fever have produced a devastating four-quarter performance to score a lopsided 80-53 victory over Collingwood Magpies and maintain their perfect start to the new season.
After kicking off their championship defence with two dramatic one-goal victories, West Coast ensured there would be no late drama at RAC Arena on Sunday by thoroughly outclassing the Magpies to make it three straight seasons with wins in their opening three games.
Having converted all 114 shot attempts in the Fever's opening two games, record-setting goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler chalked up another milestone by extending her streak by another 32 goals before registering her first missed shot of the year early in the third quarter.
Fowler's run of 146 straight makes set a new benchmark for consecutive goals without a miss in a single season, previously held by Northern Mystics shooter Cathrine Tuivaiti (139 goals) during the ANZ Championships era.
The Jamaican international and winner of five straight league MVP awards closed the match with 51 goals from 52 attempts while Sasha Glasgow provided valuable support by adding 10 two-point Super shots.
But the Fever's success was generated at the defensive end with Courtney Bruce, Sunday Aryang and Jess Anstiss responsible for 11 gains in the first half, West Coast surging ahead 35-18 before heading to the main break with a 13-goal advantage.
"We kind of did our homework and thought these girls are going to come out firing, as everyone does every round, but I thought we really stepped it up," Fever midcourter Verity Simmons said.
"The pace was out there tonight and big defence came from the girls."
Simmons (35 feeds, 23 assists) credited her defensive group for laying the platform for her to succeed against an in-form Magpies midcourt.
"Having Courtney, having Kimmy (Jenner), having Sunday just sitting back there and having my back, I can have a couple of flies and look at things," Simmons said.
Coming off a controversial loss in last week's local derby against Melbourne Vixens, Collingwood's quest to score their first win over the Fever since 2019 was dealt an early blow when the home side went on an 8-1 run to set up an 18-13 buffer after one quarter.
West Coast then blunted Collingwood's attack in the second period, disrupting numerous centre passes and denying entry into the goal circle to hold the Magpies to 11 goals for the quarter, and 65 per cent shooting in the first half, to lead 37-24.
