Finals bid in tatters as Fever flop again
West Coast Fever coach Norma Plummer yesterday admitted she was struggling for answers after a loss to the Adelaide Thunderbirds confirmed the success-starved club would again miss the ANZ Championship finals.
The Fever travelled to Adelaide knowing they had to win to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
But the reigning premiers finished strongly to win 57-50 and leave the Fever at a morale- sapping 3-6 for the season.
"I am struggling for answers to be honest with you," Plummer said. "We're in the contest and then when the real crunch comes that's when mistakes are made and then we drop off, so it's very disappointing."
Plummer, who is in her third season in charge, has an option to coach on in 2015 and said a decision on her future was imminent.
The legendary former Australian Diamonds coach conceded she was deflated. "I'll be chatting with the powers to be at some stage in the near-distant future," Plummer said.
"I came over to make a difference and I certainly have done that in a lot of areas, but I'm really disappointed. I don't seem to have too much luck, losing Ashleigh Brazill each year.
"I think she's such a driver on court for us. We have missed her enormously."
But Plummer insisted her side could still get something out of the remaining four games.
The club is hoping to break the competition's attendance record when it plays the NSW Swifts at Perth Arena next Monday night.
"We can still get out there and enjoy it and we can still do a bit of work on it," Plummer said.
"I guess (I want) more satisfaction for the players themselves, I would say that would be the main thing. That they keep having to challenge themselves."
Captain Nat Medhurst had just 15 attempts for 13 goals and committed six turnovers against Adelaide to continue a disappointing fortnight, while fellow recruit Chelsea Pitman was benched early in the game.
Plummer said Pitman was carrying an injury but she had expected more from the pair after luring them in the off-season.
She believed some players had been affected by the prospect of Commonwealth Games selection. The team will be announced on Wednesday.
"I think that's put a lot of pressure on players this season and we just hope that Nat and Caitlin (Bassett) have done enough to make the team," Plummer said.
"We're in the contest and then when the real crunch comes that's when mistakes are made ..."" West Coast Fever coach *Norma Plummer *
