Why Opals great Michele Timms believes Tess Madgen is primed to lead Australia to World Cup glory

The Opals are well placed for success at the World Cup in Sydney with Tess Madgen as captain, according to Australian great Michele Timms.

The Opals are well placed for success at the World Cup in Sydney with Tess Madgen as captain, according to Australian great Michele Timms. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Opals great Michele Timms has hailed Tess Madgen the perfect choice to captain Australia’s new era of women’s basketball at this month’s World Cup in Sydney.

Madgen fought back tears when coach Sandy Brondello recently unveiled her as Australia’s skipper for the Cup campaign.

The veteran guard has totalled 65 games for the Opals across 13 years.

She’s donned the green and gold at the 2018 FIBA World Cup, three FIBA Oceania Championships (2011, 2013, 2015) and made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

Timms worked closely with Madgen during the Melbourne Boomers’ charge to the 2021/2022 WNBL championship.

Tess Madgen is the perfect choice to captain Australia’s new era of women’s basketball . Picture: Adam Head

She witnessed the 32-year-old evolve as a leader who is ready to return the Opals to the international podium.

“I didn’t realise how good of a leader Tess had become until I worked with her at the Boomers — I was a bit surprised,” Timms told News Corp.

“She was really vocal among the girls at the Boomers, got them going and brought them together as a team.

“During the WNBL finals she showed that she can lead. She didn’t have scoreboard pressure, but she contributed immensely and wasn’t letting her inability to score affect the way she led.

“Her defence also spoke volumes and that is a really good thing for the Opals, who are trying to establish themselves again as a great defensive team.

“There are a lot of things you weigh up when you select a captain and I think Tess ticks a lot of those boxes.”

Timms believes Madgen’s leadership took another substantial step forward during the Opals’ recent warm-up games against Japan.

A youthful Australian squad fought hard, but the Japanese snuck home with a two-point win in the deciding Game 3 clash in Newcastle.

Madgen was a standout performer for the Opals, but it was her leadership that caught Timms’ eye.

“That made me think that Tess is ready for the next step,” she said.

Tess Madgen ticks a lot of boxes for the Opals. Picture: Getty Images

“She handled herself so well in that Japan series under a great deal of pressure when things around were crumbling.

“She showed a great deal of leadership from point guard.

“I also get the sense that the girls really like and respect Tess.

“Lauren Jackson speaks highly of her and that is impressive and speaks volumes.

“The Opals captaincy is a great and deserved opportunity for her.”

Cue the tears 🥺

The moment Tess Madgen found out she made @FIBAWWC Opals captain 🫶 #WeAreBasketballpic.twitter.com/wsKZ4ZNJWT

— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) September 8, 2022

Timms only became an official leader later in her stellar career.

In the initial stages, she was all eyes and ears in an attempt to learn the leadership craft from iconic players like the legendary Robyn Maher.

Maher represented her country at three Olympic Games and six World Championships.

She captained the Opals to their first Olympic medal – a bronze at Atlanta 1996 – and to another bronze at the 1998 worlds in Germany.

Maher played 374 games for Australia, 174 of those as captain.

“I learnt off one of the best in Robyn,” Timms said.

“She was probably the greatest captain Australia has ever had.

“I had someone who I could look at and say: that is what it takes to be a leader.

“I wasn’t a captain until late in my basketball career at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

“So, when I was finally a captain, I knew that I had to go in there leading by example.

“I also had to be a good listener and give my teammates a voice. That comes from the culture that is built around you.”

Michelle Timms only became an official leader later in her stellar career.

Timms can see plenty of leadership parallels between Madgen and herself.

“Tess is also very passionate; she wears her heart on her sleeve and I enjoy that about her,” she said.

“I think that quality will make her a really good leader.

“I was wondering who was going to be captain. Obviously, Lauren (Jackson) is a great leader and you’ve also got players like Marianna Tolo and Cayla (George).

“Everyone in the team will need to be a leader, but Tess is an excellent choice, and she will do a great job.”

The Opals open their World Cup campaign against France on September 22 at the Sydney SuperDome.