WNBL 2016/2017: Teams, ladder, players, draw and news
IT’S the top competition for basketball in the country and it boasts some of the biggest names in the world game. Our ULTIMATE GUIDE to the WNBL.
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IT’S the top competition for basketball in the country and it boasts some of the biggest names in the game.
We look at the top players, the teams chasing success and the best games to watch this season in the 2016/2017 Women’s National Basketball League.
There’s also some history, the major awards and championship winning teams of the past.
Swoop’s ULTIMATE GUIDE to the WNBL.
THE OPENER
The Sydney University Flames have the honour of hosting the first WNBL game of the 2016/17 season against Perth Lynx on October 7.
The match will be the first opportunity for fans to get a look at towering 201cm American import Jennifer Hamson, fellow import Asia Taylor and former and current Opals Belinda Snell and Leilani Mitchell.
The Flames team also boasts Sarah Graham, Tahlia Tupaea, Lauren Nicholson, Alex Wilson, Hayley Moffatt and Carly Boag.
Cheryl Chambers is the club’s new coach.
SEVEN AUSSIES TO WATCH IN THE WNBL
HOW IT WORKS
The 2016/2017 WNBL will see eight clubs play a total of 25 games each across 19 rounds of competition.
This means a total of 96 games will be played in the lead-up to the finals which begin on February 25.
VETERAN SNELL BACK TO FAN FLAMES
THE TEAMS
Sydney Uni Flames
Townsville Fire
Perth Lynx
Melbourne Boomers
Adelaide Lightning
Bendigo Spirit
UC Capitals
Dandenong Rangers
Belinda Snell has played 12 WNBL seasons and will be wearing no. 12 for @SydUniFlames in #WNBL17! pic.twitter.com/4CwHInQ0Hw
— WNBL (@WNBL) September 25, 2016
THE FINALS: HOW IT WORKS
Following the introduction of a three-game series for the first time in WNBL’s history last season, the finals structure will again be slightly altered with a three-game series brought in for the semi-finals.
This will eliminate the need for Preliminary Finals as the victors of those two semi-finals series will meet in the Grand Final, starting on March 11.
THE CHAMPIONS
Townsville are aiming for a three-peat in the 2016/17 season. The team defeated Perth last year and Bendigo the season earlier.
.@SydUniFlames pull off major coup by snaring a @WNBA and Opal star for upcoming @WNBL season https://t.co/Qb0NONA8eD #basketball pic.twitter.com/Wz7YEBGnm9
— Swoop (@SwoopScoop) September 21, 2016
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
A number of games will be played in regional centres this season.
These games include the Jayco Dandenong Rangers heading to Traralgon in Round 6 to face the University of Canberra Capitals and the Boomers playing MAC Adelaide Lightning in Geelong in Round 13.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
The Sydney Uni Flames have Opal Leilani Mitchell and former Opal Belinda Snell on their list this season.
Perth boast Opals duo Tessa Lavey and Natalie Burton and have signed two-time WNBA champ Monica Wright.
The Canberra Caps have Opals centre Marianna Tolo headlining their team.
The great Suzy Batkovic will once against be the backbone of the Townsville Fire team.
MAJOR AWARDS
MVP: The Most Valuable Player Award is arguably the most prestigious
in the game across the entire season.
GRAND FINAL MVP: The best player in the Grand Final series.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: The Rookie of the Year Award is for the most
outstanding player competing in their maiden WNBL
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: The Defensive Player of the Year Award
is awarded to the league’s best defender.
TOP SHOOTER OF THE YEAR: The Top Shooter of the Year Award is given to
the player who averages the most points at the conclusion of the
regular season.
COACH OF THE YEAR: The Coach of the Year Award is awarded to the coach
that has made the most positive difference to a team.
WNBL CHAMPIONS HONOUR ROLL
2015/16 TOWNSVILLE FIRE
2014/15 TOWNSVILLE FIRE
2013/14 BENDIGO SPIRIT
2012/13 BENDIGO SPIRIT
2011/12 DANDENONG RANGERS
2010/11 BULLEEN BOOMERS
2009/10 CANBERRA CAPITALS
2008/09 CANBERRA CAPITALS
2007/08 ADELAIDE LIGHTNING
2006/07 CANBERRA CAPITALS
2005/06 CANBERRA CAPITALS
2004/05 DANDENONG RANGERS
2003/04 DANDENONG RANGERS
2002/03 CANBERRA CAPITALS
2001/02 CANBERRA CAPITALS
2000/01 SYDNEY PANTHERS
1999/00 CANBERRA CAPITALS
1998/99 AIS
1998 ADELAIDE LIGHTNING
1997 SYDNEY FLAMES
1996 ADELAIDE LIGHTNING
1995 ADELAIDE LIGHTNING
1994 ADELAIDE LIGHTNING
1993 SYDNEY FLAMES
1992 PERTH BREAKERS
1991 HOBART ISLANDERS
1990 NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS
1989 NUNAWADING SPECTRES
1988 NUNAWADING SPECTRES
1987 NUNAWADING SPECTRES
1986 NUNAWADING SPECTRES
1985 COBURG GIANTS
1984 NUNAWADING SPECTRES
1983 NUNAWADING SPECTRES
1982 ST KILDA SAINTS
1981 ST KILDA SAINTS
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