CHAMPIONS RETURN HOME WITH WNBL TROPHY
OUR WNBL champions touched down in Townsville to a heroes welcome with an army of orange fans greeting them at the airport. After initial celebrations straight after clean sweeping the grand final series, Shannon Seebohm took a moment to reflect on his journey in charge of the side.
“I’ve been here 4 years now. My first year was pretty tough we didn’t win many games and obviously losing the grand final in the hub season was hard. So, this is awesome, it’s surreal, and I’m just really proud of the team and happy for everybody involved in the club.”
He was calm courtside in a gripping game two, which Southside held a five point lead in, during the final quarter. The visitors anticipated the Flyers putting up a better fight at home, having been blown away in the opener.
“We knew they were going to bounce back after the first clash but we definitely believed we could get it done, at no point did we ever feel like we weren’t going to win.”
Steph Reid dropped a team high 20 points and broke her former side’s spirit with an incredible bucket in the dying stages, one the coach definitely didn’t draw up.
“Steph hit a really big shot down the stretch you know the ball just ended up in her hands at the end of the shot clock and she banked one in.”
Lauren Nicholson knew the JCU Townsville Fire needed a lift in the last period, Tianna Hawkins initiated it.
“Some people hit some really big shots towards the end of the game you know the Hawk hit that big three.”
The import proceeded to score 6 more points, to finish with 18 and collect the Racheal Sporn Medal for Grand final MVP. But Townsville’s 82-69 win on the night, sixteenth straight victory and fourth Championship, was a collective effort, and the captain couldn’t be prouder of every single player.
“A lot of things led to the result that we got and yeah it’s the best feeling ever. I still can’t wipe the smile off my face, just seeing how happy all the girls were, it was just a surreal feeling.”
The Fire will take their time soaking up their achievement and the community can help them celebrate on Sunday morning, with a street party planned at Cotters Market between 9 and 11. And Loz can’t wait to lift the trophy in front of the best supporters in the league.
“Yeah I hope everyone can get there, sponsors, fans, anyone. It will be great to see everyone.”