The moment Ryan knew his Fever side was the real deal

Perth Now

6 days ago

It's no surprise that coach Dan Ryan pinpoints superstar shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard's remarkable return in round three as the turning point in West Coast Fever's record-breaking season.
Fever are on the verge of history as they prepare to take on the NSW Swifts for a spot in this year's grand final in the major semifinal at RAC Arena on Sunday.
West Coast have not lost since Fowler-Nembhard's comeback inspired them to a 10-goal win over the Melbourne Vixens at John Cain Arena, breaking the record for the biggest Super Netball winning streak with 12 straight victories.
The Jamaican shooter has gone on a tear since her comeback, scoring a league-high 724 goals despite missing the first two matches, putting herself in the position for an unprecedented sixth Super Netball player-of-the-year award.
It launched Fever from the bottom of the ladder to their first minor premiership and a club best 12-2 regular season record and in the box seat to claim a second premiership in their history.
Ryan told The Sunday Times said the win over arch-rivals Melbourne was the moment he realised his team was capable of big things in 2025.
'The big turning point was the round three game against the Vixens, Jhaniele's first game back and just watching the team in the changerooms before the game it really was a moment where I was watching the team reconnect with its identity,' he said. Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has been dominant. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images
'The way we performed in that Vixens game, it was really important for us because we were 0-2, so we were under enormous pressure. It was a great example of every position on the court stepping up and pulling their weight.
'We really wanted to support Jhaniele on that day and I thought the team did a great job in that regard.
'From that point in time, it was a great confidence boost but it saw us go on a journey of backing ourselves and each other and being keen to keept improving and keep growing. That has what every week has been framed as since then.'
While Fever don't talk about their remarkable winning streak internally, Ryan said it had given them confidence to tackle any scenario presented in the finals.
'We are connected to the previous performance and into the next. What we're learning about ourselves is our ability to perform and win in different conditions and under different stresses and different circumstances,' he said.
'If it is a goal-for-goal game we're really comfortable with that. If we're up and in control we're comfortable with that. If we're hanging on by a couple of goals we're also comfortable with that and trusting that our processes will take care of themselves.
'There's a quiet confidence but also a great adaptability around whatever condition or circumstance is out there that we've experienced them across the course of this season and last season as well, to know what we need to do in those moments and that's where the confidence comes from more than anything else.' Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard looms large ahead of the finals. Credit: James Worsfold / Getty Images
The Swifts have been dealt a massive blow leading into the game after co-captain star Paige Hadley ruled out for a second straight match because of a lower leg injury.
It will leave West Coast Fever premiership player Verity Simmons to lead the midcourt having returned to netball this season after a brief retirement which had her play for West Coast in the AFLW last year.
'Paige is a World Cup winner, Commonwealth Gold medallist and multiple Super Netball winner with the Swifts so losing a player of her calibre is always going to be tough, but every player has to be special to play at this level and we have brilliant athletes in our squad,' Swifts coach Briony Akle said.
'Verity Simmons is a Diamond and has won SSN Premierships herself, while Allie Smith has played big games in the middle for us this year so we're well stocked.
'We were hopeful that Paige would be right for the game but it has come too soon for her, and we won't risk any athlete unless they are 100 per cent good to go.
'Either way, finishing in the top two, we know that there is plenty of netball to be played regardless of this weekend so we hope to see Paigey back in the finals stage she belongs on.'
The Swifts are already without goalkeeper Teigan O'Shannassy for the rest of the season because of a back injury, leaving Australian defender Sarah Klau to get the match-up on Fowler-Nembhard.
Ryan said Fever had to embrace the opportunity in front of them after they earned the right to a home major semifinal having been bundled out in the preliminary final in the past two seasons.
'It's just such a great opportunity. We've fought really hard this season to put ourselves into a top two position because we really wanted to earn this opportunity,' he said.
'Our form and our performances and commitment to achieve that has been really evident and now we want to make sure we maximise this opportunity like we have every other week of the competition.
'We deserve to be here in this major semifinal and play it on our own home court. And now it's our responsibility to step up and make the most of this moment.'
The two sides have split their meetings this year, with the Swifts defeating Fever in round one by 18 goals.
However, Fever flexed their muscles in round nine, with Fowler-Nembhard scoring 71 goals in dominant 79-68 victory which cemented them as the premiership favourites.
Ryan said the two teams were so evenly matched there wouldn't be too much that separated them.
'Both teams can counteract each other's strengths in some ways so it's around who does it better over the course of 60 minutes and who does it more consistently,' he said.
'We've got a deep squad of 10 who can impact and change the game as we need to and the Swifts like to use and rotate their bench a lot as well so we'll prepare for all of those different changes that might be thrown at us.
'Both teams can play the game at a really high level in similar ways, so the consistency element is going to be key.'