Super Netball 2025: West Coast Fever coach Dan Ryan on rollercoaster week for debutant defender Caitlyn Brown

West Coast Fever training partner Caitlyn Brown had a week she will never forget, riding the incredible roller-coaster of sport like few do, ending with her unforgettable Super Netball debut. Brown hit the court for the first time in Fever’s historic record-breaking 73-56 win over Giants — their 11th consecutive victory which sealed the 2025 minor premiership in front of nearly 12,000 fans. It marked a major milestone for the 25-year-old but also ensured a massive week for the young defender was capped off in memorable fashion. Earlier in the week, Brown became the first triple Jill McIntosh medallist as the West Australian Netball League’s fairest and best after polling four more votes than Western Roar teammate Chelsea Bartlett. Only days later she was left disappointed, when she captained the Roar to a heartbreaking 11-goal grand final loss to the Comets at the Gold Netball Centre on Saturday. However, Brown was not able to drown her sorrow with her teammates because she was on standby to potentially cover a sick Jordan Cransberg, a situation which eventuated when the Fever midcourter was ruled out on the eve of the game. Ryan was full of praise for the goalkeeper, who showed she could compete at the level with two gains and two rebounds in only eight minutes of court time in the final term despite the limited preparation. “She was so awesome. She played in a WANL grand final yesterday that didn’t go too well for her and I had to message her at about eight o’clock at night saying ‘Cutty, it’s time to go home, I need you for the game tomorrow’,” a beaming Ryan said post-game. “She was doing all the right things to make sure she was prepared because she was on standby and then confirming that with her in the morning, she was really excited. “It’s a great reflection of the highs and lows of sport. You can have a really bad grand final and the next moment is probably a moment you’ll never forget.” Ryan said he could not have been more impressed with Brown’s efforts against a powerful Giants attack that featured veteran Jo Harten. “Not only did she get on court and debut, but she just did also really well. Some massive rebounds, a rejection, stuff that she won’t forget,” he said. “I love seeing all the girls’ reaction when she ran out onto the court and the crowd getting around her. It was a moment that we’ll reflect on too and celebrate as a team because she absolutely deserved that. “Three Jill McIntoshs and now a debut for her this weekend, it’s huge for her and we love it.”