By Stephanie Smarrelli
While she’s spent many years dominating the West Coast Fever goal circle, this season Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has had a different perspective.
The superstar has been enjoying the sidelines after welcoming her son Joshua a few months ago.
“He is a bundle of joy,” Fowler-Nembhard said.
“He’s growing so much and giving me so much joy.
“I’m so happy that he’s here with us, healthy and smiling and doing all that he’s meant to be doing.”
While she’s enjoyed spending time at home, watching Fever’s finals campaign from the sidelines has been a different experience - one she’s embraced.
“It was exciting as much as it is being on the court,” Fowler-Nembhard said of the side’s Minor Semi Final clash with the Mavericks.
“I lived every moment with the girls, I miss it, but I was just as excited as I would’ve if I’d been playing.”
Fowler-Nembhard said she’s seeing the game differently from the sidelines.
“I saw things I wouldn't normally see when I'm playing because I'm just so focused on the game,” she said.
Fowler-Nembhard is embracing her time on the sidelines.
The goaler believes one of her team’s greatest strengths was on full display throughout the Minor Semi Final.
"We were so calm and composed in times when the Mavericks were surging,” she said.
“When we got our chance to go ahead, we went full foot on the throttle and took it away.”
As the team prepares to face the Melbourne Vixens in this weekend’s high-stakes Preliminary Final, Fowler-Nembhard’s proud of the season the group has produced, regardless of the result.
“I'm proud of the unity and the strength they have shown over the season,” she said.
“There were times when they were having some rough games but still made sure to stick together.
“Then the times that they were winning, I’m proud of how much they were enjoying it and celebrating those wins.”
Rather than singling out one player, Fowler-Nembhard praised one end of the court for laying the foundations for success.
“The defending end has stood up so strong for us this season,” she said.
“I am super happy with how Kadie-Ann, Fran and Ruth have gone on and made an impact in their respective bibs.
Fowler-Nembhard's been impressed by Fever's defensive end including Kadie-Ann Dehaney.
“It’s been really good.”
She also commended replacement player Romelda Aiken-George who answered the call when Fowler-Nembhard stepped away to grow her family.
“I’ve been super impressed because I know the bib couldn't have gone into better hands,” she said.
“Romelda has come over and showed us what she's made of.
“She's been doing a brilliant job representing in the green dress, I'm super proud of her.”
The Preliminary Final against the Melbourne Vixens carries extra significance this weekend, given Fever’s heartbreaking one-goal loss in last year’s Grand Final.
A win would not only secure another Grand Final appearance, but also a chance at redemption in Melbourne.
“It would mean so much to us,” Fowler-Nembhard said.
“Then we would know that we have another chance at getting the title so getting there and beating the Vixens and going back to Melbourne to face the Thunderbirds would be amazing.”
Fowler-Nembhard admitted there is a sense of unfinished business against the Vixens.
Fowler-Nembhard believes defeating the Vixens in Melbourne in a final would be huge for the team.
“Beating the Vixens would sweeten the pot a lot more,” she said.
“It would make us feel a lot better knowing that we lost by one in the Grand Final last year to them in Melbourne as well.
“Taking them out so they’re not in another Grand Final would be really good.”
Despite not being on court this season, Fowler-Nembhard has remained an integral part of the West Coast Fever environment.
“I support the team by being around them as much as I can,” she said.
“Making sure whatever input I can give I do that and make sure they know I’m supporting them 100 per cent.”
While she won’t be on the sideline this weekend, she admits she’ll be just as nervous as everyone else but remains confident.
That belief is grounded in the advice she’d give her teammates before they head to Melbourne.
“We are strong enough, we're fit enough and we have everything that it takes to come up with the victory,” she said.
“Stick together, be united as one because when we go out and play our brand of netball, we're unbeatable.”
Fowler-Nembhard believes Fever can go all the way.
Fowler-Nembhard also believes there’s power in positivity.
“I don't know why people shy away from being positive,” she said.
“Don't say ‘if’, say ‘yes, you're going to win it’.
“That's what you want, say what you want.
“Don't be going half in on things.”
While she misses being out on the court, Fowler-Nembhard confessed it hasn’t been difficult.
“I've been enjoying not being on court,” she said.
“It's been a really fulfilling time for me having my son and enjoying spending a lot more time with family.
“I've enjoyed so many years of playing, I'm just enjoying the opportunity to still be involved but not necessarily be on the court.”
Fowler-Nembhard is grateful for the time she’s been given with her family as it’s allowed her to slow down and see things differently.
“I’m always away and playing,” she said.
“So being here with my daughter, being able to do a lot more with her and go to her games has been good.
Fowler-Nembhard is cherishing spending more time with her family.
“I'm feeling so blessed that I have this opportunity to spend time with them and just enjoy life.”
Her daughter, Drehannah, shares a love of netball and also wears the goal shooter bib.
“She loves the feedback,” Fowler-Nembhard said.
“I give her a lot of feedback while she's on court playing, I try to hold myself back to not be ‘that’ mum but it's hard not to when I'm seeing her doing things that she's not supposed to or things she could be doing better.”
Reflecting on taking time away to grow her family, Fowler-Nembhard didn’t hesitate when asked what she’d say to other athletes in a similar position.
“Do it,” she said.
“Netball is fun, it's something we love but it is so much more fulfilling when you have your family.
“At the end of the day, you're going to stop playing netball, but your family is always going to be there.
So, if you want to start a family, I would suggest do it because netball is still going to be there and we have the opportunity to go back to the game.
“As athletes our bodies normally bounce back well so take the opportunity, have kids and then they can be around the game with you and enjoy what you’re enjoying.”
