Geelong United rookie Elissa Brett finds footing in WNBL, as Gemma Potter braces for former club UC Capitals

A Geelong United rookie has been turning heads after a series of poised performances, as the new franchise aims to maintain its recent home court dominance against a fired up UC Capitals.

Geelong United's Elissa Brett and Gemma Potter. Credit: Peter Foster

Elissa Brett’s first WNBL game for Geelong United proved a shock to the system.

After five years in the US playing college basketball, the WNBL rookie went 0-2 for field goals to ultimately finish with three rebounds and a steal in her 23 minutes on court.

But the 24-year-old’s spirit wasn’t shaken, quickly rebounding by game two with 15 points in United’s historic first win over Southside Flyers, and only building in confidence from there.

In United’s recent six-point overtime win over Adelaide, the 6’0” guard was a welcome injection off the bench, her three-point shot a weapon as she put up 14 points — 12 from the three-point line — and six rebounds.

“Definitely first game was a shock coming into the league,” Brett said.

“I think I’m just building my confidence more and more each game.

“Just learning how we all play together and obviously it’s a different game in the WNBL, you’re playing against women rather than girls in college, just adjusting to the physicality and building from that each game.”

Elissa Brett shoots from beyond the arc against Adelaide in round 3. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

A focus on doing what her team needs of her drives Brett on court, whether it’s a timely three-pointer or her work on the defensive end.

Brett’s latter work is sure to be put to use by coach Chris Lucas when Geelong come up against UC Capitals on Saturday night, the 1-4 interstate team fourth in the league with an average 81 points a game.

“Obviously I have my shot going for me, but I like to get on the defensive end and sort of a bit of a hustle player, doing what the team needs at the moment, whether that’s hitting an open three or getting a stop defensively at the moment,” Brett said.

The Adelaide native will have some familiar faces in the crowd at Geelong Arena on Saturday, her family making the road trip across for the first time this season to see Brett in action.

Though her family may live across the border, Brett has quickly made Geelong home since joining the new franchise, a full circle moment coming when reuniting with teammate Gemma Potter as housemates after first living together for a year in 2018 when they both attended the AIS.

“We came out in matching pyjamas last night so we’ve really sort of taken the new housemate thing to a new level,” Potter said.

CAPS COMING IN HOT

Potter knows UC Capitals’ on-court ethos well but believes United’s own record sparks confidence when eyeing a third-straight win at home against the WNBL rivals.

Potter, who spent the past five seasons with the Capitals before joining Geelong this year, will face her former side – and one of her best friends in Australian Opal Jade Melbourne – when the interstate team, fresh off its first win, arrives at Geelong Arena on Saturday.

Gemma Potter drives to the basket during Geelong United’s win over Adelaide. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Jade Melbourne (left) is one to watch for Canberra on Saturday night. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

The Capitals started the season 0-4 but broke through for an upset one-point win over top four Townsville Fire on Thursday night.

“Especially in my time at Canberra it was kind of ‘keep playing no matter the score’ so it’s definitely a mindset they’ve grown over the 40 years they’ve been in the league,” Potter said.

“I think that showed last night (Thursday) that they’re just not willing to give up.

“They’ll be full of confidence but I think we can great hold confidence in what we’ve done in the last four games.”

United are 2-2 and put a tough week behind them when import Lynetta Kizer departed by producing an impressive overtime victory over Adelaide in round 3.

“Any overtime win is great for any team’s culture, it brings you together,” Potter said.

With improvement steep within United as they continue to get used to the way each other play, the squad are also sticking together off-court.

“I don’t think we’ve ever gone back... I think we’re taking a step in the right direction with each game,” Potter said.

“We had a thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday which ended up being a week early, Haley (Jones) got the dates wrong but that was good to just get around each other and spend that time together away from the court.”

Potter, who is content with her move to Geelong, is treating Saturday’s game against Canberra as “just another game”.

And while it will be “different” to go up against Melbourne — who put up 20 points against Townsville — Potter is confident the likes of Brett will pester the WNBA talent on the defensive end.

“I’m excited to see that,” Potter said with a laugh.

• Geelong United tip off against Canberra Capitals from 5pm Saturday night at Geelong Arena. Tickets available here.
  

Originally published as Geelong United rookie Elissa Brett finds footing in WNBL, as Gemma Potter braces for former club UC Capitals