How Townsville Fire landed Australian Opals star Sami Whitcomb from rivals Perth Lynx

The WNBL legend caused a frenzy when she walked away from her club after 100+ games. Find out the reason behind the seismic shift that could deliver Townsville back-to-back titles.

Australian Opals star Sami Whitcomb revealed it was a burning championship desire deep inside that ultimately lured her to the Townsville Fire.

The veteran shooting guard said she felt it was time to win a ring after five seasons with the Perth Lynx.

“I’m at an age where I’m really trying to enjoy every moment and every experience as well,” Whitcomb said.

“One of the things I haven’t been able to do is be a part of a WNBL championship team. That’s still something that is very much motivating me and pushing me, and it really excites me.

“I want to win every game, I want to compete and I want to help go back-to-back with this group, they’re a special team and I would love to be part of helping them continue to win.”

“From the outside, you can tell that players come here and have really, really good seasons.” Sami Whitcomb has come to Townsville to chase her first WNBL championship. Abbie Parr/Getty Images/AFP

Whitcomb featured in her 100th WNBL match for Perth last year but stepped away from her role as Lynx captain at season’s end, opening the door for Townsville to pounce.

The 35-year-old said she was ready for a new challenge experiencing a different playing style under popular coach Shannon Seebohm.

“After talking to some coaches and some players about culture and all of that, this seemed like a really good place, a really good fit,” Whitcomb said.

“From the outside, you can tell that players come here and have really, really good seasons.

“They seem to enjoy it and they seem to excel personally, individually, but then collectively you can see the culture that (Seebohm) has helped to establish and create.”

Townsville Fire Head Coach Shannon Seebohm will lead the team for at least the next three seasons. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Seebohm said the Fire were aggressive in pursuit of Whitcomb’s signature after “a few attempts” at getting her to Townsville.

“She is someone that I’ve had my eye on and have wanted the opportunity to coach for quite some time now, so when we had the chance we jumped at it,” Seebohm said.

“I know when she’s been overseas she’s watched us and messaged me a few times about how she likes the way we play as a team and move the ball.

“She’ll be the shooting guard for us, she’ll have the ball in her hands for quite a bit. She’s a great shooter but also a great playmaker so she’s got the ability to bring teammates into the game and she makes good decisions.”

Whitcomb said she was ready to continue the Fire’s current 16-game win streak. “I want to win every game, I want to compete and I want to help go back-to-back with this group.” (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Despite never winning a WNBL championship, Whitcomb is a two-time WNBA champion and four-time WNBL All Star who has captained Australia.

Whitcomb said she was attracted to the way Townsville played with dogged determination last season.

“They play really hard, they play together, I like the systems that they play and the way they play,” Whitcomb said.

“They’re very tactical. They seem to play really smart. I think just the way that (Seebohm) coaches, the way you can see him on the bench always giving feedback and coaching.”

The Fire play their first home game of the season against Lauren Jackson’s Southside Flyers on Saturday, November 4, at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre – tip off at 5pm.

Originally published as How Townsville Fire landed Australian Opals star Sami Whitcomb from rivals Perth Lynx