NBL1 West Women: News, squads, coaches - everything you need to know
Opals and Lynx star Anneli Maley headlines a list of big-name recruits who will make the NBL1 West women’s championship among the most hotly contested in the country. Full details inside.
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This year’s NBL1 West Women’s league has attracted some big name recruits, including a WNBL MVP and international stars from US, Canada and New Zealand.
Anneli Maley headlines the recruitment drive at the Perth Redbacks, where the addition of former Suns scoring leader Natalie Chou should also help make them the team to beat in 2024.
Here Rebecca Williams takes a look at every club ahead of the season tip off:
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL NBL1 WEST MEN’S PREVIEW
Click to skip to your team:Cockburn Cougars | East Perth Eagles | Eastern Suns | Goldfields Giants | Joondalup Wolves | Lakeside Lightning | Mandurah Magic | Perry Lakes Hawks | Perth Redbacks | Rockingham Flames | South West Slammers | Warwick Senators | Willetton Tigers
COCKBURN COUGARS
Home stadium address: Wally Hagan Stadium
Coach: Tyrone Thwaites
Players: Jaya Scafidi, Amelia Corasaniti, Jessie Edwards, Abbey Hall, Jewel Williams, Regan Turnour-McCarty, Kinley Paterson, Steph Gorman, Alexandra Ciabattoni, Daniel Raber, Taryn Priestly, Maia Clayden, Mackenzie Stewart, Harriet Ford, Jessica Hickey, Lily Gammidge, Sam Breen, Maria Blazejewski.
Finished last year: 1st (Champions)
Key recruit: Perth Lynx player and former WNBL rookie of the year Alex Ciabattoni.
Who to look out for and why: Guard Steph Gorman is the reigning NBL1 West finals MVP and defensive player of the year.
Our bold prediction: Expect the Cougars to be targeting a deep playoff run again.
EAST PERTH EAGLES
Home stadium address: Herb Graham Recreation Centre
Coach: Craig Allen
Players: Jaymie Symons, Hannah Swarbrick, Bri Bailey, Mary Goulding, Sarah Allen, Tessa Morrison, Mary Baskerville, Laci Hawthorne, Dre Whaanga, Ella Dimanlig, Ella Averill, Aleka Kabugua, Taylor Roberts, Alyssa Bowen.
Finished last year: 10th
Key recruit: Sensational story in the making in Perth, with former Tall Fern Mary Goulding returning to basketball after a life threatening car crash.
Who to look out for and why: Last season’s MVP for the Eagles, Sarah Allen has another chance to take her game to the next level this season and show she can compete with stars who already played on the international stage.
Our bold prediction: Eagles will improve, but not quite enough to trouble the best teams.
EASTERN SUNS
Home stadium address: Ray Owen Sports Centre
Coach: Marcus Bardill
Players: Mackenzie Taylor, Jaymee Firkins, Jemma Gartrell, Aisha Forrest, Abby Rothnie, Emerson Taylor, Ashleigh Cole, Lizel Buckley, Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant, Ella Fotu, Olivia Berry, Grace O’Meara Smith, Tiahna Sears, Naomi Diong.
Finished last year: 8th (Eliminated first week of playoffs)
Key recruit: New Zealand international Olivia Berry joins the Suns after an injury-interrupted season last year with the Giants.
Who to look out for and why: Tall Fern Ella Fotu has decided to take a year off firefighting at home in New Zealand to commit to a season in the west.
Our bold prediction: Losing leading scorer Natalie Chou to the Redbacks is a huge loss, may struggle to reach the playoffs this season.
GOLDFIELDS GIANTS
Home stadium address: Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium
Coach: Jaymi Worthington
Players: Lauren Fech, Anne Zipser, Aimee Borchet, Ashlee Monaghan, Ashlee Sidebottom, Alex Clinch Hoycard, Chloe Zorzi, Elena Scafidi, Ellie Gatti, Gaby Clancy, Lawrin Tipene, Tamsyn Pentland, Tegan Alabach, one more to be signed
Finished last year: 11th
Key recruit: The Giants have high hopes for combo guard Lauren Fech. Dynamic and strong at both ends of the court, Fech has the composure to run the team as a point guard, control the tempo and knock down her own threes from long range with her deadly pull-up jumper. Who to look out for and why: Anne Zipser will bring size and presence to the Giants. At 6’3 she will be a force inside the paint and prides herself on doing the little things, like setting solid screens to create space for teammates.
Our bold prediction: Should make an improved showing this season.
JOONDALUP WOLVES
Home stadium address: HBF Arena Joondalup
Coach: Jesse Pence
Players: Sarah Toeaina, Darien Huff, Ella Thornton-Elliot, Emma Clarke, Laniesha Paddon, Jorjah Smith, Hannah Duncan, Dynn Leaupepe, Kyah Nichols.
Finished last year: 3rd (Eliminated semi-finals)
Key recruit: Darien Huff. Arriving for her first NBL1 season after coming from a series of championships in Portugal, Huff will be a key piece for the Wolfpack in the 2024 season with her experience and stretching the floor.
Who to look out for and why: Emma Clarke. The Sydney Flames and Australian 3 x 3 player shapes as a scoring weapon for the Wolves. Clarke is a sharp three-point shooter and led the scoring (19.7) and rebounding for the Perry Lakes Hawks last NBL1 West season.
Our bold prediction: Is this the year they finally go all the way? Clarke is a genuine MVP candidate and a big season for her could be the title-winning difference.
LAKESIDE LIGHTNING
Home stadium address: Lakeside Recreation Centre
Coach: Marty Zeller
Players: Ruby Benn, Catie Jones, Teige Morrell, Tia Ucich, Emma Burke, Jade Gowland, Latysha Derecourt, Lara Scarcella, Jade Manase.
Finished last year: 9th
Key recruit: Teige Morrell joins the Lightning after finishing the season as a development player with the Perth Lynx. Made the NBL1 West First Team in her two previous seasons and won an NBL1 Central Championship too in 2021.
Who to look out for and why: Catie Jones returns to Lakeside after spending the NBL1 off-season playing in Europe.
Our bold prediction: Morrell will help push Lightning to a likely top-four finish.
MANDURAH MAGIC
Home stadium address: Mandurah Aquatic and Rec Centre
Coach: Vlad Alava
Players: Sydney Meares, Grace Lawler, Rachel Halleen, Hannah Chatfield, Samantha Roscoe, Molly Wicks, McKenna Dale, Nicole Fransson, Rachel Pettit, Casey Milo, Tiana Palmer, Ariana Wheki, Mackenzie Pitter, Olivia Bassett-Scarfe
Finished last year: 6th (Eliminated semi-finals)
Key recruit: Guard Rachel Pettit returns after taking a year off to recharge her batteries. She adds depth and versatility to the squad.
Who to look out for and why: Veteran Casey Milo is back for another season. “She is in rare air, to be performing at such a high level for such a long time,” coach Alava said.
Our bold prediction: Will be in the battle for the playoffs
PERRY LAKES HAWKS
Home stadium address: Bendat Basketball Centre
Coach: Craig Mansfield
Players: Grace Stone, Maddy Dennis, Mia Satie, Millie McCarthy, Jayda Clark, Ash Isenbarger, Sam Ashby, Ellie Newman, Morgan Ballantyne, Jenna Teasdale, Zoe Shanahan, Eryn Fisher, Savannah Metcalfe, Beige Harris, Alira Fotu, Jess Taylor, Libby Hutton, Jordi Perry.
Finished last year: 7th (Eliminated first week of playoffs)
Key recruit: Import Grace Stone arrives at the Hawks from college at Princeton in the US.
Who to look out for and why: Jayda Clark from the UC Capitals in the WNBL is a 183cm shooting guard and a star on the rise.
Our bold prediction: Have added some quality players, but top four still looks beyond them.
PERTH REDBACKS
Home stadium address: Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre
Coach: Tim Rendulic
Players: Brooke Malone, Raya Thompson, Shenae Hartee, Mikayla Pirini, Rebecca Motroni, Georgia Denehey, Kelsey Curtin, Ashlyn Lee, Mya Dimanlig, Erin Cleland, Natalie Chou, Ariane Creighton, Anneli Maley.
Finished last year: 12th
Key recruit: Former WNBL MVP and Australian Opal Anneli Maley is one of the biggest signings in conference history.
Who to look out for and why: Another recruit, former McDonald’s All-American Natalie Chou, was a standout in NBL1 West for the Suns last season, averaging 20.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
Our bold prediction: The arrival of Maley immediately makes the Redbacks a team to beat. But with 3x3 commitments, their season fortunes will rest on the availability of the star of the league.
ROCKINGHAM FLAMES
Home stadium address: Mike Barnett Sports Complex
Coach: Marcus Wong
Players: Denae Civich, Jordyn Darcey, Sophie Doran, Emma Gandini, Jessica Jakens, Opal Mader, Chloe Napolitano, Tiana Wilson-Palmer, Ngaire Parish, Alex Sharp, Imogen Soulos, Emily Steven, Nes’eya Parker-Williams, Georgia Pineau, Reece Anticevic, Shani Amos,
Aeisha Dixon.
Finished last year: 4th (Eliminated preliminary finals)
Key recruit: Two-time NBL1 West MVP and UC Capitals guard Alex Sharp.
Who to look out for and why: Nes’eya Parker Williams was the 2022 Youth player of the year in NBL1 West and after time at Townsville Fire in the WNBL, she is ready for a breakout season with the Flames.
Our bold prediction: Have the talent to go all the way.
SOUTH WEST SLAMMERS
Home stadium address: Eaton Rec Centre
Coach: Jason Chalk
Players: Matilda Leibregts, Kiara Lawty, Yasmeen Smith, Addison Edwards, Cherville Cox, Mia Anderson, Kate Williams, Charlotte Mills, Skye Palmer, Zaya Black, Lauren Vincent, Bree Chalk, Alexis Donovan, Javene Fitch.
Finished last year: 13th
Key recruit: Yasmeen Smith was named MVP for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association where she averaged 22.3 points per game.
Who to look out for and why: Guard Charlotte Mills is one of the rising next generation stars. She will play for the Slammers before heading off to play ball in the US College system.
Our bold prediction: Will be one of the big improvers this season.
WARWICK SENATORS
Home stadium address: Warwick Stadium
Coach: Brad Robbins
Players: Chloe Forster, Stacey Barr, Nat Burton, Alyssa Duncan, Kyana Weir, Kate Cummins, Karly Murphy, Nicole J orre De St Jorre, Izzy Miotti.
Finished last year: 5th (Eliminated semi-finals)
Key recruit: Izzy Miotti. Formerly with the Perth Lynx, Miotti is a tough and versatile player who will be an important part of the Senators’ roster for 2024.
Who to look out for and why: Perth Lynx squad member Chloe Forster confirmed her rising star status when she was named youth player of the year for the west conference last year.
Our bold prediction: With former MVP Stacey Barr still hunting a WNBL opportunity, this is her chance to really push the Senators into contention and prove her undoubted potential to step up into the higher leagues.
WILLETTON TIGERS
Home stadium address: Willetton Basketball Stadium
Coach: Simon Parker
Players: Eva Cooke, Desiree Kelley, Grace Foster, Amy Jacobs, Bethany Banister-Jones, Monique Williams, Piper Hearn, Remy Hearn, Ashlin Ramsay, Kiara Waite, Katie Duncan, Ella Murdoch, Hayley Newton, Imani Guy, Melisa Brcaninovic, Claire Jacobs.
Finished last year: 2nd (Lost grand final)
Key recruit: Imani Guy joins the Tigers after playing in NBL1 Central last season where the 193cm American averaged 16.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Who to look out for and why: Melisa Brcaninovic returns to the Tigers after her first year playing in Australia last season. The forward from Bosnia and Herzegovina finished in the top 10 for MVP voting, despite only playing 15 regular season games.
Our bold prediction: Title favourites.
Originally published as NBL1 West Women: News, squads, coaches - everything you need to know
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