The Queensland Firebirds have put themselves in a strong position for a top-two Super Netball finish, dominating the second half to beat the league-leading West Coast Fever 60-54 at Perth Arena.
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The Firebirds trailed by three points at half-time but outscored the Fever 32-23 in the second half to hand the home team their first Perth loss of 2018.
Queensland finishes with games against bottom teams, Adelaide Thunderbirds and Collingwood Magpies, so the six points from the win over West Coast puts them in a good position to make a charge for a top-two finish.
Firebirds coach Roselee Jencke takes great confidence from winning in Perth but isn't taking anything for granted moving forward.
"The reality is that we have another big opponent next week because the competition is that competitive," she said.
"But we like this arena and we've never lost a game here. We managed to play really controlled and smart netball in that second half and I'm really pleased with how they've grown and got better each week."
Fever remains on top at 9-3 but that could change when the Melbourne Vixens play the Giants on Sunday.
West Coast finishes their season against those fellow top teams.
Fever coach Stacey Marinkovich hopes her team can produce what they did in the first half for closer to four quarters.
"We are still looking for that four quarter performance and at least we can show that we've got the capability. It's now about finding that consistency and pushing through," she said.
"We still got some good ball and you can see that we really challenged in different parts but it takes four quarters against quality opposition like Firebirds."
It was an impressive display from the Firebirds with the attacking tandem of Romelda Aiken (40/48) and Gretel Tippett (19/22) in terrific touch.
Having two genuine scoring threats worked a treat and while Nat Medhurst (12/16) again did well setting up Jhaniele Fowler (41/44) for Fever, she continues to play high and isn't often in scoring positions.
Fever began to pull away late in the opening quarter with the final three goals to Fowler before the home team hit the opening three scores of the second too.
They were still up by three at the half but the Firebirds were an inspired outfit coming out from the break.
By the time they went on a 6-1 run they led by as much as three and were still up by two at three quarter-time having won the quarter 15-10.
Medhurst hit three consecutive goals for Fever, scores were tied and it was game on.
The Firebirds pulled out the party tricks and basketball moves to go on a 7-2 run to set up the six-goal win.
Australian Associated Press
