The Queensland Firebirds' dream of a perfect trans-Tasman netball season remain alive after surviving a major scare against the West Coast Fever for a 56-54 comeback win on Monday night.
With bookends Caitlin Bassett and Susan Fuhrmann on fire, the ninth-placed Fever looked set to pull off the upset of
the competition when they led by seven goals just before halftime and four late in the third term at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
The Perth team still enjoyed a 42-40 advantage at the last change but lost composure when it counted as the home side rattled off the first five goals of the fourth-quarter to grab the lead and hold on to it in a dogfight.
Diamonds goal attack Natalie Medhurst was the hero for the Firebirds, helping them get out of jail by leading the pivotal second-half comeback.
"I'm just glad everyone pulled out their fingers in the last quarter," said Medhurst, who finished with 30 goals.
"We had a 10-day break between games and we needed that kick up the backside before the finals."
With the visitors only enjoying two wins this season, it was expected to be a lot easier for the unbeaten Queenslanders who have already parcelled up the minor premiership and a home major semi-final in two weeks.
But Fever goal keeper Fuhrmann nullified star shooter Romelda Aiken and the Firebirds sorely missed injured captain and centre Lauren Nourse as they struggled in the mid-court battle.
Queensland lacked their usual energy and crispness without Nourse, making it hard work for Aiken who was well matched for height and athleticism by the aggressive Fuhrmann.
An upset was in the offing in the second quarter as the visitors remarkably turned a 17-13 quarter-time deficit into a 28-21 lead as Bassett went on a six-goal blitz.
Their 30-27 half-time lead could have been greater if not for Medhurst hitting a couple of long bombs to peg back the Fever's seven-goal advantage.
In a topsy-turvy third term, Queensland rattled off the first five goals to regain the lead but the Fever hit back immediately and led by four before allowing the home side back in to the contest.
Goal shooter Bassett was outstanding with a game-high 37 goals (94 per cent) but missed the chance to draw the Fever level with two minutes left with an uncharacteristic close miss.
The competition's leading scorer proved a major handful for the Firebirds' international defensive pairing of Laura Geitz and Amy Steel throughout.
The Firebirds will now travel to New Zealand on Saturday looking to complete an undefeated regular season against the Canterbury Tactix.
- AAP
Natalie Medhurst was the hero for Queensland. Photo / Getty Images
The Queensland Firebirds' dream of a perfect trans-Tasman netball season remain alive after surviving a major scare against the West Coast Fever for a 56-54 comeback win on Monday night.
With bookends Caitlin Bassett and Susan Fuhrmann on fire, the ninth-placed Fever looked set to pull off the upset of
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