Jhaniele Fowler’s accuracy helps West Coast Fever outfox Melbourne Vixens to win Super Netball title

As she knelt on the floor, embracing her shooting partner Sasha Glasgow after the final whistle of the Super Netball grand final in Perth tonight, relief seemed to wash over Jamaican superstar Jhaniele Fowler.

Fowler, who arrived at West Coast in 2018 having just won a title in New Zealand’s elite competition, had done it. She’d delivered West Australian netball its first piece of silverware in its history.

She was indeed the “Fever redeemer” the green army had hoped she’d be, even if it took five seasons, two coaches and three grand finals to break the 25-year drought with an emphatic 70/59 victory over the Melbourne Vixens.

Fowler – who topped the league for shooting accuracy and volume this season, putting in 871 from 902 at 97% accuracy ahead of the grand final at RAC Arena – shot 58 from 59 attempts to all-but win the game with her own hands in front of more than 13,000 fans.

While the 32-year-old looked uncharacteristically uncomfortable at times in the first half against Vixen keeper Em Mannix, even giving away an offensive contact and a turnover, she still sunk 26 from 27 attempts.

In the second half, after talking to umpires Tara Warner and Jemma Cook about the treatment she was receiving from Mannix and Vixens goal defence Jo Weston, Fowler was flawless, sinking another 32 from 32 to finish with 98% accuracy. She also recorded key four rebounds and a single feed.

In the third Fowler flattened Weston in a bruising contest just inside the goal circle and stepped over her, boxer-like, to retrieve the ball in a move that showed she meant business. Fox Netball commentator Cath Cox described it as a “monstering.”

“We were worried about her not really firing up. Have a look at this! Get out of my way. Jhaniele Fowler