Bendigo Spirit legend Kelsey Griffin opens up on what her future might look like post-career
A WNBL veteran has revealed what her future post-career might look like as she highlighted several players to watch in the Bendigo Spirit v Adelaide Lightning match at Geelong Arena.
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A Bendigo Spirit veteran has hinted at what her future might look like post-career as she prepares for a crucial WNBL fixture against Adelaide Lightning on Friday night at Geelong Arena.
Three-time Rachael Sporn medallist and Spirit captain Kelsey Griffin, 36, returned to the franchise last season after an initial seven-year stint which yielded back-to-back titles.
Griffin, who has a special link to the Geelong region – her wife is a “mad” Cats supporter – told this publication she wasn’t sure what was next when her two-year deal ends after the 2024-25 campaign.
The Alaska product admitted that the sport was not quite the passion it was for other players.
“I don’t know how much I’ll miss it,” Griffin said, who also has close friends in Torquay.
“I’ll probably give myself some space (post retirement) and see what develops and what opens up.
“In the off-season, I don’t touch a basketball, it’s not something I’m pining for and counting down the days (to its return).”
For Griffin, who is currently studying an MBA, basketball has always been a job, first and foremost.
“It really is my employment, that I feel very fortunate to do, but it’s also something that is my job, it’s not necessarily a passion of mine,” she said.
“I’m not sure what that will translate into once I’m done.
“I’m looking forward to some .... normalcy ... taking holidays, all the things that come with the autonomy of your schedule, it doesn’t really happen in sport.”
That being said, Griffin, is determined to bolster the program at Bendigo, back to where it was when she first arrived in the gold rush town in 2012: “It’s got such a special place in my heart.”
Meanwhile, Griffin is expecting a tough hit out against the Lightning on Friday night in a season-defining fixture, despite winning four of their last five encounters.
And Adelaide might be second bottom right now, but the 36-year-old sees similarities between the 2-5 Bendigo and their “incredibly good” South Australian opponents, with returning import Brianna Turner leading the competition across multiple benchmarks, including blocks and boards.
“I think we’re on similar trajectories,” she said.
“They complement each other very very well, and all have very different playing styles.
“We’re so similar ... we all rely on each other for our own success, as does Adelaide.”
She said Bendigo coach Kennedy Kereama had not tweaked anything after the Spirit dropped the first three matches of the season.
“We’re trying to look at each loss as a learning opportunity,” she said.
“Unfortunately, a lot of the learnings came from what we did to ourselves.
“Not to discredit any of the teams who have been able to get wins against us ... a lot of the stuff we look back on on film, there are areas of improvement we have control over.”
Players to watch in the Bendigo Spirit v Adelaide Lightning match at Geelong Arena
Isobel Borlase and Isabelle Bourne
Nineteen-year-old Borlase is very much a star of the future for the Lightning and the country, identified as a future Opal.
“She plays with a ton of grit and probably beyond her years,” Griffin said.
Borlase is currently in the top five for average points, with 16 a game, and the top bracket for steals.
Meanwhile, Bourne attended from the same Nebraska university as Griffin, and the latter has watched the 24-year-old’s development closely.
Adelaide’s “vet mix” of Brianna Turner, Lauren Mansfield and Jocelyn Willoughby
Griffin says 27-year-old Turner has been a “cornerstone” of the WNBA from a defensive standpoint, while Mansfield, 33, is a crafty offensive weapon.
In fact, Turner is leading the competition for average blocks and boards per game with 15, defensive rebounds (12) and is the tournament’s most durable for average time on court.
She said New York Liberty’s Willoughby was one to watch at Geelong Arena when the 25-year-old hits her stride, either in defence or offence.
Willoughby has been a demon from the charity stripe, running at 81 per cent.
The regular recordbreaker, Kelly Wilson
Approaching her 40th year, Wilson has been very much part of the furniture at the Spirit for many a season, and is playing in her 21st campaign at the highest level.
Griffin said the inspirational point guard had set the record for most WNBL games through work ethic, mental toughness, fortitude and competitive spirit, racking up more than 400 matches.
“She’s an incredibly incredibly hard worker,” Griffin said.
“She’s probably underappreciated for what she’s doing and has done for a very long time.
“I feel like longevity isn’t celebrated nearly enough in the sport.
“Every time Kelly Wilson steps on the floor, a record’s broken every single time, which is insane.
“I don’t anyone will ever come close to what she’s done.”
Alex Wilson, Abbey Wehrung, Mehryn Kraker and Ruth Davis
With plenty of experience and innate knowledge of what they bring to the mix, both Wilson and Wehrung are key pieces for Bendigo, Griffin says.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee product Kraker is adjusting to the level after a stint in NBL1 with Rockingham Flames while she brings WNBA experience (Washington Mystics).
She’s also leading the competition for average three-balls per game.
Canadian centre Ruth Davis, on the other hand, “brings a presence in the paint” while overall, the Spirit’s depth is an asset: “I think our strongest suit is the depth of our bench.”
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