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West Coast Fever and Australian star Courtney Bruce reflects on four-year journey to Commonwealth Games gold

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Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
Australian defenders Courtney Bruce and Sarah Klau celebrate winning Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham.
Camera IconAustralian defenders Courtney Bruce and Sarah Klau celebrate winning Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham. Credit: Stephen Pond/Getty Images

As the emotion of four years of heartache, hubs and controversy swept over Courtney Bruce, she looked down at the gold medal around her neck as proof that it was all worth it.

In a span of barely more than a month, Bruce became West Coast Fever’s first premiership captain and part of just the fourth Diamonds’ team to be triumphant at the Commonwealth Games.

It’s a far contrast from the “devastation and heartbreak” of the loss to England on the Gold Coast in 2018.

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That moment would mark the start of a four-year stretch like no other for the superstar defender.

Bruce went through the trials and tribulations of two Super Netball grand final defeats, two hubs in Queensland, as well as weeks spent away from home because of COVID-19 border issues after international netball tours.

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Add on being in the middle of the biggest netball controversy in Australian history with the Fever’s salary cap scandal and there have been few athletes that have rode a wave of emotion like Bruce.

“It’s been a big couple of years and a big build since our Commonwealth Games loss on the Gold Coast, so to win the medal means the absolute world,” an emotional Bruce said.

“It’s been really hard. It’s worth the sacrifices we made to finally be here.

“Everything we’ve sacrificed over the last couple of years and this group’s sacrificed to be here, even the weeks we’ve been over here stuck in a COVID-19 bubble, it makes it so special.”

Australian defender Courtney Bruce battles Jamaican goal attack Shanice Beckford in the gold medal match.
Camera IconAustralian defender Courtney Bruce battles Jamaican goal attack Shanice Beckford in the gold medal match. Credit: Stephen Pond/Getty Images

Fittingly Bruce was in the middle of the move that was pivotal in the 55-51 victory over a brave Jamaica in the final.

Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich swung 28-year-old from goalkeeper to goal defence, sending NSW defender Sarah Klau onto Sunshine Girls superstar captain Jhaniele Fowler in the second quarter.

The move proved a masterstroke, as Klau helped to quell Fowler’s influence, while Bruce was free to take the game on up the court, with a number of defensive moments helping Australia take control of the match.

Bruce revealed it was anything but a planned tactic.

“I was super shocked Stacey put me in goal defence, I didn’t know that was going to happen,” Bruce said.

“I offer a different kind of goal defence style ... Sarah and I protect each other and we’re a very tall defensive end when we’re together.

“Jamaica plays a style that I thoroughly enjoy which is a bit loopy, speed off the ball and those are the moments that I get to come out and have a crack.”

West Coast Fever captain Courtney Bruce and netball boss Sue Gaudion celebrate the Super Netball premiership.
Camera IconWest Coast Fever captain Courtney Bruce and netball boss Sue Gaudion celebrate the Super Netball premiership. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

Making the whole experience even more special was the fact Bruce got to share it with long-time mentor Marinkovich. The pair had spent seven seasons as coach and player at Fever but fell short of being able to taste the ultimate success in that time.

“I would’ve done anything to win a premiership under Stacey, she is the heart and soul of Fever and she made our club to what it is,” Bruce said.

“To do this with her on an international level, I’m just so stoked.

“She deserves this, she deserves everything that comes her way. It hasn’t been a smooth run as Diamonds’ head coach, but to be here now and for her to have this gold medal around her neck is bloody damn special.”

West Coast Fever teammates Jhaniele Fowler and Courtney Bruce battled on the international stage.
Camera IconWest Coast Fever teammates Jhaniele Fowler and Courtney Bruce battled on the international stage. Credit: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

After all the excitement and emotion, Bruce is now somewhere in the United States, taking a well-deserved break where she’s happy to just be “Courtney Bruce”.

“I don’t think I’ve even celebrated the Fever (premiership) win yet. I get to do that when I get home. I’ve got two great things to celebrate now,” she said.

“I knew that coming in here I had a job to do and I wanted to carry that good form from the Fever win into Diamonds and bring my experience and knowledge. I feel I was able to do it.”

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