Wilson looking for fresh start

JCU Townsville Fire point guard Kelly Wilson is hoping a new season brings a fresh start after an injury plagued 2016/17.

Having returned to the Fire after a decade in Bendigo, Wilson, who twice climbed the WNBL summit with the Spirit, was left to ponder what could have been after entering the season with a shoulder injury before fracturing her ankle.

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While the former Opals playmaker returned ahead of the finals, the Fire failed to contain the Sydney Uni Flames in the best-of-three semi-final series, dashing their hopes of a rare three-peat.

“I don’t think I could put it into words, I think I was injured and missed more games last season than I had for my entire career,” Wilson said.

“It was really disappointing, but things are looking up now and I’m looking forward to this season.

“I had a pretty relaxed off season and I obviously worked on rehab and those type of things, so I’d like to think I’m ready for a month of pre-season.

“I think last year for me was up and down, and it was a disappointing season in terms of my output and obviously the aim this season is to improve and be much better.”

A healthy 2017/18 can place Wilson within striking distance of becoming just the ninth player to chalk up 350 WNBL games, but having turned her hand to netball over winter, the 32-year-old is currently focussed on making a meaningful contribution to the Fire’s run at another championship.

The Fire’s pre-season continues this week ahead of the Wilmar Sugar Burdekin Blitz against Perth on September 22 and 23.

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