The West Coast Fever are facing early-season woes in the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball League, as they slumped to their second consecutive defeat with a 54-67 loss to the Queensland Firebirds at Nissan Arena on Saturday.
Still adjusting to life without star shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, the Fever were again left searching for answers—this time against a rampant Firebirds side led by Ugandan debutant Mary Cholhok, who delivered a statement performance with 42 goals from 48 attempts.
The Firebirds, riding high from a record-breaking win over the GIANTS in Round One, were clinical from the outset, leaving no doubt they have arrived in 2025 with serious intent. Cholhok, who shot at just 73 per cent in her debut, silenced any critics with her commanding 85 per cent effort under the post, while Emily Moore added 18 goals and Tippah Dwan chipped in with a perfect seven from seven.
For the struggling Fever, Olivia Wilkinson led the attack with 39 goals from 43 attempts, but lacked consistent support. Jamaica’s Shanice Beckford scored five from seven, and Mwai Kumwenda netted eight from nine in limited minutes.
The Firebirds dominated from the first whistle, racing to a 19-13 lead by the first break as Fever’s defence looked flat-footed and disjointed. Midcourt player Macy Gardner continued her strong early-season form, dictating play and racking up 88.5 Net Points. Tactical switches from coach Kiri Wills, including the introduction of Dwan and Lara Dunkley, only intensified the Firebirds’ momentum.
Shimona Jok. (Photos: Getty Images).
Meanwhile, Fever coach Dan Ryan made his own adjustments, as he benched Beckford and shuffled his attacking lineup in search of rhythm. But the damage was done, as the Firebirds surged into halftime with a commanding 13-goal lead.
Kumwenda was reintroduced in the second half in an effort to settle the Fever’s attack, while defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney dug deep to claw back possession. Despite some late energy and intercepts from Ruth Aryang, the Firebirds’ poise and patience proved too much to overcome. Fever did narrow the margin to 10 in the final quarter before fading again.
The 13-goal win marks the Firebirds’ second on the trot and signals a potential resurgence for the team, who struggled last season. For Fever, the 0-2 start is unfamiliar territory, as they haven’t missed the top four since 2021 and last opened a season with consecutive losses back in 2019.
Elsewhere in the league, Jamaica’s Shimona Jok put on a perfect shooting display under the post with 55 goals from 55 attempts for the Melbourne Mavericks, but it was not enough to overcome the NSW Swifts, who powered to a 68-62 win at Ken Rosewall Arena.
Swifts’ shooting machine Grace Nweke once again lit up the court, scoring 49 from 51, while Helen Housby’s 19 goals, including five super-shots, swung momentum at crucial stages.
Despite Jok’s brilliance, the Mavericks could not capitalize on their chances from range, with both Jok and Sasha Glasgow missing their super-shot attempts. The Swifts held a 34-30 halftime lead and, after briefly trailing in the third quarter, stormed back with a flurry of goals to secure their second straight win.