Sunshine Coast Lightning coach Noeline Taurua might like to come to Perth more often after her side's 25-goal Super Netball hammering of a West Coast Fever team that will be challenged this week by coach Stacey Marinkovich.
It was a rematch of last year's grand final with over 7000 fans attending RAC Arena on Sunday. But the result was a dominant 80-55 victory for Lightning as the premiers of the past two years rebounded from an opening round loss to Collingwood.
Fever looked rudderless without captain Courtney Bruce in defence as Lightning used a three-pronged attack to great effect with Peace Proscovia scoring 48 goals, Steph Wood 18 and Cara Koenen 14.
There was also plenty to like for Lightning in defence - led by Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretorius - and in midcourt, spearheaded by the returning Laura Langman.
"It's beautiful and not only because of what happens out on the court, but just walking in here with such a good crowd, that's really good for netball in general and for this area," Taurua said.
"For us to be part of what happened last year is a good thing overall too. I love being here and everything about this city, and for us it was just good to get back out on the court and play well."
Lightning now prepare for a Queensland derby with the Firebirds on Sunday in Brisbane.
"It's awesome and there's always a bit of a rivalry there anyway between the two clubs," Taurua said.
"But out of their last game that they played and got a draw plus the loss last week is going to make it a hotly contested game. But it will be good and that's good for our region."
Fever coach Marinkovich was disappointed to remain winless this season ahead of a tough trip to Sydney to face the NSW Swifts on Sunday.
West Coast struggled in attack as Jhaniele Fowler did all she could with 51 goals, but had disappointing support from Alice Teague-Neeld and Kaylia Stanton.
The side coughed up 27 turnovers under Sunshine Coast's pressure.
"We will review as openly and hard as we need to from this game," Marinkovich said.
"We'll certainly have that robust conversation because we can't start quarters, in particular, like that and open the floodgates.
"It's something that we need to make sure we come out next week with better intent and get back to playing the way we know how."
