The Fever have made an impressive unbeaten start to the season and sit top of the ladder with four wins from as many matches, including a victory over the NSW Swifts in Sydney last weekend.
Friday's game at RAC Arena is the second in week-long road trip for the Firebirds after their loss to the Melbourne Vixens at John Cain Arena last Sunday.
LAST TIME WE MET
A remarkable haul of 14 Suncorp Super Shots by goal attack Sasha Glasgow led the Fever to a record-breaking 97-63 win over the Firebirds in a Round 10 clash last year.
The Fever's score was the highest in SSN history as Donnell Wallam's homecoming was spoiled despite the goal shooter hitting six two-pointers of her own.
A bright spot for the Firebirds in the defeat was the SSN debut of Leesa Mi Mi, who came on at the start of the fourth quarter, just days after her 22nd birthday to become Firebird No.109.
TEAM NEWS
The Firebirds have named an unchanged squad for the fifth-straight week but Head Coach Bec Bulley may be tempted to shuffle her starting seven after captain Kim Ravaillion made her longest appearance of the season off the bench against the Vixens while Emily Moore and Isabelle Shearer also got their first minutes of the SSN season.
Perth made a late change with midcourter Kelsey Browne rested by coach Dan Ryan after an impressive start to her West Coast Fever career. 11th Player Ruth Aryang has been elevated into the matchday squad and will make her SSN debut if she takes the court.
KEY MATCHUP – Tippah Dwan v Sunday Aryang
With the departure of Courtney Bruce, Diamonds defender Aryang has filled the void of her international teammate in imposing fashion so far this season.
Aryang was sensational against the Swifts, picking up six gains and 11 deflections as English superstar Helen Housby was restricted to just three goals.
Dwan will be eager to bounce back after a tough game against the Vixens last weekend where she only featured for 23 minutes before being subbed for Emily Moore.
If the Firebirds goal attack can overcome Aryang's long reach and anticipation, it'll open up scoring opportunities for both her and Wallam which will be crucial against the high-scoring Fever.
KEY STAT
Firebirds' goalkeeper Remi Kamo has made a strong start to her second SSN campaign and currently leads the league in defensive rebounds with 10. With the Fever's Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard having missed just five of her 248 goal attempts so far this season, it will be imperative that Kamo and Ruby Bakewell-Doran pounce on any loose ball opportunities at the back.
LAST WORD
"We're taking a lot of confidence from those games against the likes of Swifts and Adelaide. They're top teams and we know that we can match it with them, we've just got to put that out there for 60 minutes - 70 maybe." - Firebirds' shooter Donnell Wallam.
HOW TO WATCH
Watch Friday’s game live and on demand on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. International viewers can catch the entire 2024 Suncorp Super Netball season live and on demand via Netball Pass.
