WNBL 2024: Geelong United host Southside Flyers in round 2, Daniel Raber to miss due to EuroBasket qualifiers

Geelong United faced a major learning curve in their WNBL debut but there is little time to dwell as the reigning champs await. But in a major blow, they’ll be down another player.

Meg Saultry

3 min read

November 6, 2024 - 1:15PM

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Geelong United huddle up during their round 1 WNBL loss. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

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Geelong United coach Chris Lucas claimed the sign of his players would be in how they respond to challenges this year after a humbling round 1 defeat.

But the tests don’t get any easier, United faced with two games in four days — the first against reigning WNBL champions Southside Flyers at Geelong Arena Thursday night — and doing so without recruit Daniel Raber due to conflicting international duties.

Daniel Raber will miss a number of games for Geelong United due to EuroBasket qualifiers for Israel. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Raber has travelled to Europe to represent Israel in two 2025 EuroBasket qualifiers against France and Ireland this weekend.

It will see the 28-year-old miss both the Flyers game and Sunday’s road trip to Bendigo, while United confirmed the forward was also uncertain to play next week’s home game against Adelaide Lightning on November 16.

It’s a blow considering the 11-player roster is already down Taylor Mole (back injury) and Monique Conti (AFLW finals), with Raber, in her WNBL debut, among just a few to provide a scoring spark against Townsville Fire in round 1 as the onus now firmly falls on others to step up in her absence.

Development player Tanielle Knight came into the line-up for Mole last week, with Dakota Crichton next to step into the 10-player game day roster — though both likely wouldn’t play big minutes.

Coach Chris Lucas labelled last week’s loss “a huge learning curve” for several of his players on debut, with back-to-back games now a prime opportunity to generate some momentum as a club.

Naz Hillmon in action for Southside Flyers in round 1. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Friends turned foes

Standing in Geelong United’s way on Thursday night is two people very familiar to Lucas.

WNBA forward Naz Hillmon, who played under Lucas at Melbourne Boomers last season and was All-WNBL second team, has joined champions Southside Flyers on her return to Australia, while first-year Flyers coach Kristi Harrower was an assistant under Lucas at the Boomers across the past two years.

The Flyers are also looking to kick start their season after losing a grand final rematch to Perth Lynx by 15 points in round 1, in what was in a tough road-trip west.

Harrower said post-match her side had “a long way to go” with a new coaching staff and playing group, and would go “back to the drawing board” ahead of Geelong.

Hillmon, who is a teammate of United import Haley Jones at the Atlanta Dream, finished with 11 points and six rebounds against the Lynx.

Where game may be won and lost

Confidence and chemistry is going to be central to Geelong United’s success this season.

Though Lucas was disappointed by work on both ends of the floor against the Fire, the first-year unit looked most disjointed on offence, with captain Keely Froling their only main scoring threat while fumbles and ambitious passes and drives to the basket were their downfall as the Geelong finished with the lowest score (58) for the round.

You could give several players a pass considering it was their first game in the league — or first in a while — though the grace period will be quick to end if they can’t start hitting their shots.

Lynetta Kizer will need to stay out of foul trouble after picking up early penalties against the Fire. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Southside themselves lacked some finish on the offensive end against Perth, shooting just 39.7 per cent from the field, including 20.8 from the three-point line.

But the Flyers showed they could score in the paint and capitalise with scores off turnovers — both key areas Townsville hurt Geelong in last round.

With Australian Opals Bec Cole and Alice Kunek leading the Flyers — the latter scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds in round 1 — and with pesky guard Maddi Rocci in their line-up, experienced Carley Ernst dangerous on the outside, and exciting youngsters Manuela Puoch and Dallas Loughridge able to impact, the Flyers have ample ways to hurt Geelong if they’re not careful.

Froling said United would need to pride itself on its defence, while Townsville coach Shannon Seebohm credited Lucas as one of the best in the league for preparation and making adjustments after last week’s game, so we’ll see what, if any comes to the floor on Thursday.