WNBL: Geelong United fall to Townsville Fire 70-89 in round 13

Geelong United didn’t have the answers against an in-form Townsville Fire, with one statistic proving particularly costly. Plus, one player’s season is over as it’s announced she’ll undergo surgery.

Jaz Shelley drives to the basket under pressure. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Geelong United hung around for three quarters against Townsville Fire, but foul trouble caught up with them in an eventual 19-point defeat.

In a tough trip to Far North Queensland, United managed to peg back a number of the Fire’s double digits leads throughout Saturday night’s game to be within five points with eight minutes left on the clock.

But it was a 11-22 final quarter favouring the top three Fire – and 4-16 final four minutes – which blew out the margin, 89-70, in front of 2409 spectators at Townsville Entertainment Centre.

United, sporting a short bench, had its issues converting at the foul line, going 0-4 in the first quarter and ultimately finishing with 7-13 (53 per cent).

But it was Townsville’s 34 chances – 27 at 79 per cent converted – at the charity line which set the two teams apart, United racking up 26 personal fouls to 14, with four players managing four fouls late in the game.

Chris Lucas’ side, who face top side Bendigo Spirit and UC Capitals at home this week, started brightly against the Fire with an early lead as Jaz Shelley got off the leash, 16 of her 19 points coming in the first half.

Gemma Potter hit a number of shots in the third quarter. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Despite a quieter second half, apart from an incredible hail mary three-ball, Shelley’s team-high scoring effort was her fifth-straight game in double digits, coinciding with taking over the captaincy for an injured Keely Froling.

Meanwhile mid-season recruit Alex Sharp continued to work hard at both ends with a 13-point, 13 rebound double-double, while Monique Conti returned to United’s line-up from a groin injury, hitting eight points off the bench, including two timely three-balls towards the end of the second and third terms.

Gemma Potter stood up in the second half, the 22-year-old making herself a presence in the paint to get the team going offensively, with nine of her 16 points coming in the third term.

But it was Townsville’s ease with which it could score, as well as a strong showing from their big Lauren Cox (26 points at 85 per cent efficiency) inside the paint which had the home side a step ahead at every turn.

Now, it’s up to United, level with Sydney Flames and Capitals for wins as they fight for the fourth open finals spot, to find an extra gear in its final four fixtures.

Taylor Mole will sit out the rest of the WNBL season. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Earlier: WNBL forward to undergo season-ending surgery

Taylor Mole will sit out the rest of Geelong United’s WNBL season, the forward set to undergo spinal surgery next week to address an ongoing back injury.

Mole posted the news to Instagram on Thursday, saying: “Not the WNBL season I was hoping for in any way but sadly I’ve been told I have to have spinal surgery after nursing an ongoing back injury this season.”

The 25-year-old sustained the back injury in the first week of pre-season, before missing the first seven rounds.

She played her first minutes in round 8 against Perth, but has only managed nine minutes across three appearances this season before reaggravating the injury.

“It’s been a pretty rough past few months dealing with this but I’m excited to get this sorted, start the road to recovery and come back even stronger,” Mole wrote to Instagram.

Teammate and housemate Jaz Shelley published an Instagram story in response to the news, noting: “With you every step”.

Mole has signed with Geelong United’s NBL1 team for 2025, after averaging 22.12 points and 7.53 rebounds for Mackay in the NBL1 North in 2024.

Geelong United are 6-10 this season, with their next fixture away against Townsville Fire on Saturday.

Originally published as WNBL: Geelong United fall to Townsville Fire 70-89 in round 13