Sasha Glasgow has returned to the green dress in fine style, firing an injury-hit West Coast Fever to a three-goal victory over finals fancies Sunshine Coast Lightning at RAC Arena on Sunday.

Fever’s biggest unknown heading into the season was how they would put up a winning score without six-time league player of the year Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, who will miss the season because of pregnancy.

But 2022 grand final most valuable player Glasgow showed she is capable of being a difference maker.

In her first game for Fever since 2023, the goal attack scored an impressive five super goals to finish with 14 goals and a game-high 26 goal assists in a commanding 68-65 victory.

Glasgow and veteran goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George (54 goals from 63 attempts) showed no signs of any chemistry issues in their first game together, outplaying the Lightning’s international class defence across four quarters.

Missing half the team that lost last year’s decider by a goal, Fever were untroubled by the star power on the court from the Lightning until the final term.

The visitors came hard in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 goals to 14 including five super goals but left too much to do too late.

Former Fever captain Courtney Bruce had a horror game, persistently arguing with the umpires as she gave away a whopping 15 penalties against Aiken-George in less than a half.

Even West Coast’s injury-hit defence was defying expectations.

Diamonds goal defender Sunday Aryang’s absence was always going to be felt, but Jamaican Kadie-Ann Dehaney (five gains and six deflections) starred in a tough match-up against West Australian shooter Donnell Wallam (53 goals including five super goals) who was playing her first game for the Lightning.

The goal keeper combined sensationally with England captain Fran Williams (five gains) as they consistently disrupted the Lightnings’ movement in their front court.

Glasgow sent a scare through the Fever camp when she appeared to hurt her left ankle in the final seconds of the third term, but she out the game despite limping from the court.

Young midcourter Jordan Cransberg also sent a strong message to Australian selectors, putting in 31 feeds and 15 goal assists as the looks to take the next step in her career.

Most impressively at times she got the better of Australian captain Liz Watson, who was moved to wing attack but blanketed by Fever skipper Jess Anstiss.

The Lightning made a late comeback with a series of super shots in the final term but Fever held their nerve to claim the important win.