Super Netball 2024: West Coast Fever coach Dan Ryan declares Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard the best shooter ever

West Coast Fever coach Dan Ryan has declared Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard as “the greatest goalshooter our game has ever seen” after her match-winning minor semifinal performance. Fowler-Nembhard was perfect from one-goal range, scoring 67 goals from as many attempts before missing two super shots when the 72-62 win over Sunshine Coast Lightning at RAC Arena was already beyond doubt. It continued an excellent season from the Jamaican shooter who will contend for a sixth player of the year award in seven seasons. Ryan said Fowler-Nembhard’s efforts were underrated in the wider netball community given her consistency to score heavily each and every week. “I think she is the greatest goalshooter our game has ever seen and because she has such high standards every single week, everyone has incredibly high standards of her,” Ryan said. “We’re so grateful that she’s in our team and we have a real priority to ensure that we get the best out of Jhaniele with who sits in front of her. “She’s been a completely new person in our environment this year, she’s been an incredible leader. The way she’s leading that frontline, she’s happy to take a two v one if she needs to, she’s backing in little Shanice (Beckford) when she needs to. “We’re just seeing mum mode from Jhaniele out there … she’s having a great year and we do not take for granted how good she is at what she does. She’s the best in the world for a reason.” Fever will now have a six-day break before they take on arch-rivals Melbourne Vixens in the preliminary final at John Cain Arena on Saturday. Ryan said they would embrace the challenge of a short turnaround and roadtrip as they look to book a place in their fourth grand final. “We’re so happy that we get through this game, it’s a confronting game the minor semifinal where your season can stay alive or your season can be taken from you very quickly,” Ryan said. “We’re going to be grateful for another opportunity to play netball in finals pressure. “We know we’re in great form and we’re going to be really hard to beat at our best so we can’t wait.” Vixens head into the game having lost three of their past four games – including a one-goal loss to Fever on their home court – but Ryan said they would still respect the opposition. “You’ve got to respect the opposition that they’ll show up and play their best netball in the games that really matter,” he said. “They’ve got some of the biggest names in the game that we know will be disappointed with how they played in their semifinal. “We will prepare for and anticipate the Vixens at their very best because that’s what a preliminary final demands from both teams. “For us to be the best, we want to make sure we’re beating those teams and we want to take the Vixens at their very best and challenge the life out of them and we can’t wait for that one.”