Fire farewell Batkovic in style
The JCU Townsville Fire has farewelled Suzy Batkovic in style with a 90-82 victory over Sydney Uni Flames.
Arguably the greatest ever player in WNBL history, the six-time MVP shrugged off a neck injury which had sidelined her since the beginning of December to put on one final show at Townsville Stadium.
With more than 2000 adoring fans in attendance, emotions ran high as the Fire acknowledged their superstar captain before the game – and the retiring Belinda Snell – looking for one final fairytale ending.
A guard of honour for not one but two @WNBL legends who retire! #SoLongSuzy #ThankyouSnelly pic.twitter.com/MhL0o0zzQk
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) January 19, 2019
Snell had other plans, however, as the three-time championship winner wound back the clock to stroke five triples in the first quarter alone before finishing with a game-high 21 points.
Not to be outdone, Batkovic shook off a rusty start to top-score for the Fire with 14 points and three rebounds before checking out with a minute to play to a thunderous reception.
Darcee Garbin flirted with a double-double as she finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Casey Samuels stroked four-of-five from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points of her own.
After being injected into the starting line-up, New Zealand international Stella Beck finished with 10 points and five assists and Tess Madgen dropped 11 points and four assists.
“What else is there to say about Suzy Batkovic,” Fire coach Claudia Brassard said.
“She’s the MVP of MVPs – she’s been so dominant and consistent across two decades – she’s played a huge role in our success and it was great that she was able to get out on the floor and to soak in the atmosphere one final time.
“It was a special night.”
Game over! We wave goodbye to a legend with one final victory as we secure a 90-82 win! Suzy signs off with 14 & 3. Thank you, Suz! #SoLongSuzy pic.twitter.com/jwTJFjCnhl
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) January 19, 2019
After trailing by four points at quarter-time and then again at half-time – primarily thanks To Snell’s hot hand – the Fire took over in the third term with a 25-15 run.
Samuels was able to make some big plays in the final term before Maddy Willey stroked a long-range bomb to open up a cushion.
With the result in hand, Batkovic – and then Snell – checked out for the final times in their illustrious careers with the torch now handed over to the next generation.
“It’s been one hell of a ride,” Batkovic said.
“It was extra special to share the court with Snelly, we’ve achieved a lot together over the years and she’s been such a phenomenal player.
“Townsville and the Fire fans have been unbelievable to me – I always say they’re our sixth man – so I wanted to be able to say thank you one last time and I’m glad we were able to finish with a win.”
Click here to see full box scores between the Fire and the Flames.