Fever embarrass woeful Mystics

Maria Tutaia's post-match comments said it all - "God, I don't even know what happened there".

The Northern Mystics were left shellshocked in Perth as their defensive frailties and lack of depth were laid bare by a rampant West Coast Fever yesterday in an 80-53 hammering.

After showing promising signs early on in their season-opener against the Vixens last week, the trip across the Tasman brought out the worst in the Mystics, with the visitors displaying an embarrassing lack of defensive fortitude.

Just 24 hours after the Steel set a scoring record in the transtasman league with their 75-goal tally against the Tactix, the Perth side bettered that, sinking 80 goals.

The Mystics, meanwhile, set an all-time low, with the 27-goal loss their worst in the franchise's history.

The Fever had no problems capitalising on early blunders, finding easy passage to goal.

And that was to be the story of the match, an endless procession to the Fever goal.

The loss of experienced defenders Anna Harrison (pregnant) and Charlotte Kight (Achilles injury) in the pre-season has undoubtedly left a gaping hole in the Mystics defence.

But their struggles in Perth cannot simply be put down to a lack of understanding between the very new combinations.

The team lacked commitment, intensity and any defensive nous against the Fever.

Jessica Moulds looked like a schoolgirl against Australian international Caitlin Bassett. The 1.93m shooter was rarely challenged in the air.

With the ball flowing down the court at a rate of knots, the likes of Moulds didn't stand a chance.

Trailing 23-13 at the first break, coach Ruth Aitken opted for widespread changes, with Kayla Cullen moving from centre to the defensive circle, Julie Corletto to wing defence, Grace Rasmussen to centre and rookie Elisapeta Toeava injected off the bench at wing attack.

But the changes only created problems in other areas of the court, as the new attacking line-up struggled.

In yesterday's early game, the Melbourne Vixens ran out convincing 58-44 winners over Adelaide Thunderbirds. APN News & Media