WBBL finals: Brisbane Heat determined to ward off poachers and keep squad together
With back-to-back WBBL titles in sight, Brisbane Heat are determined to ward off any player poaching raids and set up their playing group, including star opener Beth Mooney, well into the future.
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Brisbane Heat have formulated plans to stave off a poaching raid on their all-conquering WBBL team and keep star player Beth Mooney in Brisbane.
The Heat will face the Melbourne Renegades in Saturday’s semi-finals double-header at Allan Border Field for a spot in Sunday’s WBBL title decider.
Brisbane took out last summer’s tournament in emphatic fashion and are on track for back-to-back titles.
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But the Heat’s success is set to result in rival clubs targeting Brisbane players when the competition’s contracting window opens after the finals.
The Heat have a host of players off-contract, including star trio Jess Jonassen, Sammy-Jo Johnson and Mooney.
Heat general manager Andrew McShea said the franchise was determined to keep its squad together.
“We saw that last year – we lost a couple of players to other clubs after last season,” he said.
“We’re hopeful we can keep this group together. They’re doing some impressive things on and off the field.
“Beth is off-contract, along with a number of players. We’ll move pretty quickly once the contract window opens up after the final.
“They’re a talented group and bat deep with plenty of bowling options.
“Hopefully we can secure the group moving forward.”
Australian representatives Mooney and Jonassen were this week named in the WBBL team of the tournament.
All-rounder Jonassen has scored 348 runs at 38.66 and taken 19 wickets for the tournament.
Wicketkeeper Mooney has been in sensational form with the bat, scoring 672 runs at 74.66 in 14 matches this summer.
“Beth has been phenomenal,” McShea said.
“The consistency she’s shown has been the biggest thing. Her ability to keep churning out big scores has been impressive.
“She’s leading from the front, but there’s also plenty of players behind her.
“There’s plenty of discussions happening, and to be had. We’re very focused on keeping this group together.”
The Heat finished on top of the WBBL ladder following a stellar back half of the tournament, which included a seven-game winning streak.
Brisbane captain Kirby Short said the Heat had to overcome different expectations this year.
“We won last year when people didn’t think we could or would, now we’re in a position where we’ve finished top of the table,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to host the finals, but T20 can misbehave on you. Once four teams get to the finals, what’s happened before doesn’t matter.
“Once you’re in the top four and playing a semi-final, everyone wants a piece of everyone.”
The Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers will clash in Saturday’s first match at AB Field, before the Heat play the Renegades for a place in the decider.
Originally published as WBBL finals: Brisbane Heat determined to ward off poachers and keep squad together