ROUND 13 PREVIEW: The WNBL celebrates Indigenous Round.
With Indigenous celebrations underway around the league, round 13 aims to recognise and celebrate Indigenous Australians and culture both within the WNBL and wider basketball community. Perth Lynx also returns to their home court for the first time since January of 2020 and a Saturday tripleheader is set.
WNBL Media previews the round:
Bendigo Spirit v Southside Flyers
MyState Bank Arena, land of the Muwinina people. Wednesday 6pm local. Kayo.
The second of the two-game trip to Tasmania is set to open the round and can the Spirit make it two in a row? Bendigo faced some harsh criticism early in round 12 and used it to fuel their win over the Flyers, insiders at the club saying that their drive to prove the doubters wrong is here to stay. Anneli Maley shone yet again in round 12 and doesn’t look to be stopped any time soon so who will the Flyers task with keeping her at bay? Maddy Rocci (29 points and five rebounds) and Bec Cole 919 points and five assists) were the Flyers’ biggest contributors in their loss to the Spirit but Southside will be searching for a larger input from the likes of Kristy Wallace and Sara Blicavs if they were to defeat Bendigo’s momentum.
Note: Southside will be desperate to get back on the winner’s list and not extend their losing streak to five in a row.
Adelaide Lightning v Townsville Fire.
The Lights, land of the Kaurna people. Saturday 4:30 pm local. FoxSports/ABC
Adelaide managed to jump up a spot on the ladder after round 12 and is now sitting in second on a three-game winning streak, while Townsville has suffered three consecutive losses. Despite a race to finals deemed out of reach now for the Fire, they still know how to bounce back and cause an upset. Watch a dual head-to-head between the likes of Townsville’s Steph Ried and Monique Billings and Adelaide’s Steph Talbot and Kiana Williams.
Note: Having faced each other twice this season already, both teams are sitting on a win apiece, who claims the best out of three?
Perth Lynx v Sydney Uni Flames.
Bendat Basketball Centre, land of the Whadjuk Nyoongar people. Saturday 7pm local. Kayo Freebies.
After 26 months away from their home fans, the Perth Lynx will finally hit the Bendat Basketball court this Saturday night. A top verse bottom clash, the Lynx will be running on fresh legs against a team who have shown potential in recent games, the Sydney Uni Flames. All eyes will be on the likes of Sami Whitcomb and captain Darcee Garbin in their first appearance since returning from Serbia while Marina Mabrey should be returning from injury. Sydney’s Shyla Heal says that she learnt a lot from Sami Whitcomb while on national duties so let’s see if Heal has a Whitcomb spark about her on the court.
Note: Sydney fans don’t forget about the time difference, 7pm AWST/ 10pm AEDT.
Southside Flyers v UC Capitals.
Dandenong Stadium, land of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people. Saturday 7:30pm. Kayo.
The UC Capitals dropped to fourth after dropping their round 12 clash in a thriller to the Boomers, so they’ll be pushing to knock over the Flyers on the road. Back at home after a stint on the road, Southside will be eager to put a smile back on their fans’ dials. A Jade Melbourne and Kristy Wallace match up will attract some eyeballs.
Note: The UC Capitals are determined to secure that top two spot and host a home final, watch them bring extra intensity to bounce back and get back on the winner’s list.
Melbourne Boomers v Bendigo Spirit.
Melbourne Sports Centre- Parkville, land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people. Sunday 3pm. Kayo.
These two have a 1-1 record against each other this season so the final game of the round is set to be a cracker. A head-to-head between talls Melbourne’s Cayla George and Bendigo’s Meg McKay will be fascinating to watch. Bendigo has been on an upward rise, can Tessa Lavey and her youthful Spirited team continue to play such a fast pace and high-intensity game week in and week out? Or will the experience of the Boomers get the better of them?
Note: Tess Magden v Maddie Garrick will also make quite the contest.