Garbin covets bigger challenge
Two-time JCU Townsville Fire championship winner Darcee Garbin believes she is ready to assume a starting role in North Queensland after making her international debut last month.
Since relocating from Perth, Garbin has tasted championship success in 2015/16 and 2017/18 as a super sub for the Fire, playing behind six-time Chemist Warehouse WNBL MVP Suzy Batkovic and WNBA forward Cayla George.
Dual championship winner @DarceeGarbin beasting it in the yo-yo & into the top-three! #FireUpTownsville pic.twitter.com/XBDIsXLEzn
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) September 14, 2018
With George defecting to Melbourne during the off-season, Garbin believes the time is right to transition into the starting line-up entering her fourth season with the club and closing in on 200 WNBL appearances.
“I’d like to be able to slip into that starting role that has been left by Cayla and prove that I can play in the four spot in the WNBL,” Garbin said.
“Hopefully put myself forward next year for the (Tokyo Olympic) qualifiers for the Opals. I missed out on Worlds, but if I can have another good WNBL season and win another championship, hopefully I can be in good stead for next year.”
While Batkovic and George were renowned for being the twin towers in the Fire’s three championship victories, Garbin has been heralded within the organisation as being pivotal to the past two titles.
Congratulations to the Fire's @Micaela_NZ & @DarceeGarbin on being named in the 2018 QBL Team of the Year! Join Mic & Darcee & become a member of the Fire today —> https://t.co/kyXoqqdlt8 #Fir3UpTownsville pic.twitter.com/dtk827yntm
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) August 28, 2018
An elite offensive rebounder, the 24-year-old has become one of the competition’s premier stretch forwards, but faces stern competition from WNBA draftee Ally Malott and former AIS teammate Casey Samuels to lock down the starting role.
“Casey is a great shooter,” Garbin said.
“We spent a couple of years together at the AIS and the under-19 World Championships together – she can knock down the three off the dribble or catch-and-shoot – and she’s quite explosive so she can get to the rim.”
Join Darcee and become a member of the Fire this season, with the reigning WNBL champions poised to unveil their championship banner in round one.
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