United’s Jaz Shelley on her breakout WNBL week, stepping into captaincy and long-term future in Geelong
Jaz Shelley is looking on the bright side of a positional change in the WNBL this year, as the star guard looks to lead Geelong United to a possible top four finish in year one.
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While Jaz Shelley admits she’s naturally started to enjoy playing a different position, the in-form Geelong United guard won’t be changing how she leads since taking on game-day captains duties.
Shelley strung together two of her best games in United colours last week – including a matchwinning 20-point, seven assist, four rebound performance against Southside Flyers on Wednesday – days after captain Keely Froling suffered a season-ending knee injury.
“Our team kind of needed someone to step up … I’m just glad I could do what I needed to do to get the win,” Shelley said.
Known during her US college days as a high-volume and efficient scorer, Shelley has had to fill a different void at United, spending more time at point guard.
The 24-year-old revealed she had began to feel more comfortable in the position, trusting in her innate ability.
“Especially being in a new league, we play so much differently than over in the US, I think just embracing that challenge and not being shitty about being put into a different position, embracing it and doing the team thing, I’ve actually naturally started to enjoy it now,” she said.
“It’s honestly good to add another piece to my game.”
That work surely won’t stop by season’s end though with Shelley, who is on a multi-year deal at United, excited to remain in Geelong for the upcoming NBL1 South season.
After five years in the US, Shelley said it was an easy decision to stay.
“There is a lot of parts of my game I want to work on, so being in the one location, having access to (coach) Chris (Lucas) and a consistent workout routine is going to be really good,” she said.
Flexing her leadership muscles on court in lieu of Froling, Shelley, who started the season as deputy, said little had changed in her approach around the squad as Froling remains an active leader in the team.
“I’m naturally a lead-by-example person, so just kind of promote positivity, just be someone approachable leader,” she said.
“Just using my voice a little bit more, running huddles and pre-game talks, has been the only difference.”
“Keely’s still a big leader on our team, and she’s a really good coach almost.
“She’s able to see the floor really well so she’ll help us out in that respect.”
Shelley and United face two tough fixtures this weekend, including a must-win game against Sydney Flames on Friday night – both sides in the battle for fourth – before taking on ladder-leaders Bendigo Spirit on Sunday.
After pushing top-two Perth Lynx within three points on Sunday, Shelley said there was no reason Geelong couldn’t beat any team on their day.
“Last time we played them (Sydney) it was a bit of a dogfight and I’ll think it’s probably going to be the same this time around,” Shelley said.
- Geelong United tip off against Sydney Flames 7pm Friday at Geelong Arena, and 4pm Sunday against Bendigo Spirit. Watch live on 9Now.
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Originally published as United’s Jaz Shelley on her breakout WNBL week, stepping into captaincy and long-term future in Geelong
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