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West Coast Fever to begin quest for Super Netball crown at home in 2022

Headshot of Mitchell Woodcock
Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
The West Coast Fever will play their first match in Perth since July 2021.
Camera IconThe West Coast Fever will play their first match in Perth since July 2021. Credit: RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/AAPIMAGE

The West Coast Fever will begin their quest for a maiden Super Netball premiership at home, in their first match at RAC Arena in more than eight months.

Ending a 253-day wait for the side’s loyal Green Army, the Fever will take on the Sunshine Coast Lightning in round one of the 2022 season.

It will mark new coach Dan Ryan’s first official match in charge, after taking over from Stacey Marinkovich who is now the full-time Australian Diamonds coach.

The Fever’s first match, to be held on Sunday, March 27 from 1pm, will be the final game of the round.

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The 2022 season will begin with Adelaide taking on Collingwood at Netball SA Stadium on Saturday afternoon, before the grand final rematch between NSW Swifts and Giants takes place in Sydney from 4pm.

The Queensland Firebirds will host the Melbourne Vixens in the first match on March 27 before the Fever’s home fixture.

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The match will mark the Lightning’s first without inspirational defender Karla Pretorius (nee Mostert) who this week announced her pregnancy.

Karla Pretorius will miss the 2022 Super Netball season after announcing she’s pregnant.
Camera IconKarla Pretorius will miss the 2022 Super Netball season after announcing she’s pregnant. Credit: JAMES ROSS/AAPIMAGE

The South Africa import has been one of the competition’s best since arriving in Australia in 2016.

“I’m very excited to announce that I am pregnant and (husband) Werner and I cannot wait to become parents,” Pretorius said.

“It’s obviously a big decision to step away from netball for a year but I feel it’s the right time for me and my family.

“Of course, Lightning will remain close to my heart and I will absolutely continue to be involved – albeit in an off court role – and I hope to be back in the team in 2023.”

The loss of Pretorius and the fact new recruit Tara Hinchliffe is still recovering for her ACL surgery means the Lightning will head to Perth with a weakened defensive unit.

But coach Kylee Byrne has confidence in her squad for the 2022 season, after acquiring former Vixens defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney.

“As a team we will miss the on court presence of Karla but it also allows our emerging defenders to put their hand up for increased development opportunities, which will only strengthen us moving forward,” she said.

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