Samuels fires on Townsville arrival
JCU Townsville Fire swingman Casey Samuels has made an immediate impact upon her arrival in North Queensland.
Having spent two seasons away from the Chemist Warehouse WNBL, Samuels, who spent some of that time with the Sydney Swans Academy in the AFL, has not missed a beat during the opening fortnight of pre-season.
Casey Samuels getting in & out of the gates as part of @JCU fitness testing this morning with @StephenBird_PhD & Brent Goriss! #FireUpTownsville pic.twitter.com/lGHZuzmXNm
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) September 14, 2018
An established starter with Sydney Uni Flames in 2015/16, the former under-19 Australian representative, who played alongside new teammates Darcee Garbin and Mikhaela Donnelly at the AIS, was impressive during fitness testing at the weekend and said she was looking to re-establish herself in the WNBL.
“Everyone has come in in good shape,” Samuels said.
“I didn’t think I was going to be pulling out those numbers, so I was quite surprised and happy with my results.
“It’s always good to have someone next to you – that push you – and you just try and do your best and keep up with them.
“I thought I did quite well (finishing second) in the yo-yo compared to previous years.”
A prolific three-point shooter, Samuels averaged 6.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists with the Flames during her last stint in the competition – comparable to championship heroes Sydney Wiese and Laurin Mincy last season – but has worked diligently on her defence in her time away.
Great to have Casey Samuels (@13CaseyJo_) on media street ahead of @WNBL pre-season commencing next week! #FireUpTownsville pic.twitter.com/jytrLVWzAq
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) September 2, 2018
Able to defend in the post and on the perimeter, Samuels said it had been a concerted effort to work on the defensive side of her game.
“It’s just helping out the team wear I can,” Samuels said.
“For me, my defence has picked-up from where it has been in the past couple of years, so I think I can play a key role there.”
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