West Coast Fever coach admits while missing the Super Netball Grand final this weekend is ‘heartbreaking’ for him, there is still plenty to celebrate from this season.
Last Saturday, Fever headed to Melbourne to play the Vixens at John Cain Arena, with both sides vying for that final place in the Grand Final against the Thunderbirds.
However, it was Fever who came away with the loss, their finals hope shattered after falling short by one goal after the Vixens took the lead in the game’s dying seconds.
Despite losing, Fever burst out the gates in the first quarter, but ultimately, the Vixen’s attacking unit got one last burst in the final quarter to get them over the line.
Reflecting on the match and season as a whole, Ryan believes what a new-look Fever outfit achieved in a short time was ‘exciting,’ despite the heartbreak.
“I thought we were good enough to make the grand final, but we just probably didn’t prove that in key moments in the preliminary final,” he told Sports Breakfast.
“When I reflect back on the season as a whole, there’s so much to be proud of. There’s so much to celebrate.
“What we did achieve with this very new team in a very short amount of time is pretty exciting.
“We would have loved to have been in that grand final, but sometimes you’ve got to do it the hard way and have that heartbreak to go one step further in years to come.”
This season, Fever had a completely new look after losing four players, including captain Courtney Bruce, Rudi Ellis, Sasha Glasgow and Kim Jenner to rival clubs in the trade period.
Midcourter Verity Simmons also announced her retirement from netball, before switching codes and signing with the West Coast Eagles’ AFLW side.
Fever instead acquired the signatures of Fran Williams, Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Shanice Beckford – three internationals, former Magpie Kelsey Browne and rookies Jordan Cransberg and Olivia Wilkinson.
Few knew what to expect of Fever this season, including Ryan, however, he still had faith they could remain a powerhouse club.
“When we put this list together, there was definitely a vision to ensure we could remain as a powerhouse club. In my mind, I think we’re good enough to be a top four team,” he said.
“There were a lot of unknowns in how the team would come together.
We knew they could complement each other nicely from a technical and tactical perspective. It was then going to be the challenge of bringing the group together cohesively and building function within the team.
“That really took off. The culture that was reestablished and the team first mindset, that was reestablished.
“Across the course of the season, we’ve beaten every team in the competition. We’ve played some outstanding netball.”
Many, including Ryan were shocked at how this new look Fever side came together following the trade period’s events.
“The first half of the season, a lot of teams were shocked at how good we were. We probably surprised ourselves a little bit too,” he said.
“Our form at the back end of the season really came to life again.
“It’s always important to have a look at the big picture and our club sits in a really healthy position over the next few years, which is important for sustainable success.”
IMAGE: Yahoo Sport