By Pip Turton
After last season’s Grand Final heartbreak, the West Coast Fever have begun their 2026 season on the right foot, defeating the Sunshine Coast Lightning 68–65 in a high-pressure Round 1 clash at RAC Arena.
All eyes were on Fever heading into the season opener after several changes to their squad.
Star goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler‑Nembhard will miss the 2026 season as she prepares to welcome a new addition to her family, while goaler Olivia Wilkinson was sidelined with an ankle injury.
Stepping into the green dress as a permanent replacement player is four-time premiership winner Romelda Aiken‑George, who wasted no time making an impact.
Lightning also entered the clash with a forced change, with goaler Gabby Sinclair ruled out due to a minor calf injury.
Training partner Nat Sligar was elevated as a temporary replacement.
Despite the reshuffle, Fever’s new-look attacking line proved effective early, while debutant Sasha Glasgow looked right at home in her first official outing for the club.
Glasgow delivered an outstanding performance to earn Player of the Match honours.
It was a fast start from Fever opened strongly in the first quarter, creating turnovers through relentless defensive pressure led by Courtney Bruce.
Up the other end, Aiken-George converted confidently, sinking 11 goals in the opening term.
Romelda Aiken-George’s commanding presence in the circle.
Coach Dan Ryan used an early tactical timeout to encourage the side to “feed it through the middle to Glasgow,” a move that helped settle Fever’s attacking structure.
Lightning responded in the second quarter with a structural change, shifting Mahalia Cassidy into centre and pushing captain Liz Watson back to her familiar wing attack position.
The adjustment helped reduce general play turnovers and allowed Watson to better connect with goal shooter Donnell Wallam.
However, Fever finished the half strongly.
Sasha Glasgow stars in Fever’s Round 1 victory.
In the final five minutes before the break, Glasgow nailed two Super Shots to stretch the margin and give the home side valuable breathing room.
Fever came out firing after halftime, bringing the same defensive intensity they showed in the opening term.
But Lightning refused to go away, with the contest becoming goal-for-goal through much of the third quarter.
Watson remained composed through the midcourt, consistently setting up Wallam with quality scoring opportunities.
Trailing by seven, Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds called a tactical timeout, urging her players to “use your energy, keep this tempo and build pressure in this moment.”
Shortly after, debutant Sligar entered the game at goal attack as Lightning searched for momentum.
Despite their push, Fever maintained control and carried a 10-goal lead into the final quarter.
A sea of green as Fever fans pack RAC Arena.
Defender Kadie‑Ann Dehaney played a key role in maintaining Fever’s defensive pressure, but Lightning produced one last charge in front of a crowd of more than 8,000 fans.
The arena fell silent as Lightning closed the gap, with Cara Koenen sinking two Super Shots in the final five minutes to ignite the comeback.
Missed opportunities proved costly for the visitors, however, with six unsuccessful attempts at goal during a crucial period of play.
With 90 seconds remaining, the margin sat at five goals, before Lightning reduced it to just three with under a minute left.
A final missed attempt from Wallam allowed Fever to slow the game down, running the clock out with controlled possession in the dying seconds.
The Lightning scare wasn’t enough to stop Fever from securing the win, with the home side holding on for a 68–65 victory.
Lightning will look to carry their late momentum into Round 2 when they face the Queensland Firebirds at UniSC Arena on Saturday 21 March.
Meanwhile, Fever will travel to take on the Adelaide Thunderbirds, at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre later that evening.
