West Coast Fever won’t have to wait long to go up against their former skipper Jess Anstiss and her new team, the Sunshine Coast Lightning, with the two set to clash in the season opener.
Fever will begin their 2027 Super Netball season against the Lightning at UniSC Arena on Sunday, April 11 from 11am in what is certain to be one of the most highly anticipated matches of the season.
It comes after Fever told Anstiss there was not a spot on their list for the captain despite having played after 149 games for the club across 10 seasons, including three as captain.
Anstiss joined fellow former Fever skipper Courtney Bruce at the Lightning, reuniting with one-time West Coast assistant coach Belinda Reynolds, now their head coach.
Fever will plan in front of their home fans for the first time in 2027 the following week when they host the Melbourne Mavericks at RAC Arena on Sunday, April 18.
This will be the first time the famed Green Army will get to see recruits in New Zealanders Maddy Gordon and Ameliaranne Ekenasio pull on the dress alongside returning superstar Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, who missed all of last season on maternity leave.
Fowler-Nembhard’s fellow Jamaican star Shanice Beckford has also returned to the club to help her out in goal attack.
Fever face two sets of consecutive away trips throughout the season, having to take on Queensland and new franchise the Sydney Sirens interstate in rounds four and five as well as NSW Swifts and Mavericks on their home courts in rounds nine and 10.
But they have been compensated by consecutive home games in rounds two and three as well as 11 and 12 in what will be crucial late in the season as they look to make another finals campaign.
Fever will also finish their season at RAC Arena when they take on reigning premiers Adelaide Thunderbirds in round 14, which will be held on Sunday, July 11.
They will also host an Anzac Day game on April 25 against the NSW Swifts at RAC Arena and a First Nations Round game against Lightning in round eight.
“The Green Army will have a great opportunity to get right behind our new-look team with back-to-back home games in rounds two and three to open our home campaign in 2027. I know our new recruits are excited to experience that atmosphere of netball at RAC Arena for the first time,” Fever coach Dan Ryan said.
“Every match in Super Netball presents a challenge, and we’ll need to be at our best throughout the year. While there are some demanding travel periods, we’re excited by the opportunity to finish the regular season in front of our home fans when it matters most.
“Our Green Army create the best atmosphere in world netball and give our players an incredible lift. Having three of our final four matches at RAC Arena could be a significant advantage, and we’re calling on our members and supporters to get United in Green as we chase another finals campaign together.”
WEST COAST FEVER FIXTURES 2027
Round One – Sunshine Coast Lightning v West Coast Fever, UniSC Arena, Sunday, April 11, 11am
Round Two – West Coast Fever v Melbourne Mavericks, RAC Arena, Sunday, April 18, 1pm
Round Three – West Coast Fever v NSW Swifts, RAC Arena, Sunday, April 25, 1pm
Round Four – Queensland Firebirds v West Coast Fever, Nissan Arena, Saturday, May 1, 1pm
Round Five – Sydney Sirens v West Coast Fever, Quaycentre, Saturday, May 8, 1pm
Round Six – West Coast Fever v Melbourne Vixens, RAC Arena, Sat, May 15, 5pm
Round Seven – Adelaide Thunderbirds v West Coast Fever, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Sunday, May 23, 11am
Round Eight – West Coast Fever v Sunshine Coast Lightning, Saturday, May 29, RAC Arena, 5pm
Round Nine – NSW Swifts v West Coast Fever, Ken Rosewall Arena, Saturday, June 5, 5pm
Round 10 – Melbourne Mavericks v West Coast Fever, John Cain Arena, Sunday, June 13, 11am
Round 11 – West Coast Fever v Queensland Firebirds, RAC Arena, Sunday, June 20, 1pm
Round 12 – West Coast Fever v Sydney Sirens, RAC Arena, Saturday, June 26, 5pm
Round 13 – Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever, John Cain Arena, Sunday, July 4, 11am
Round 14 – West Coast Fever v Adelaide Thunderbirds, RAC Arena, Sunday, July 11, 1pm