WNBL stars predict winners of league title and MVP, Bendigo Spirit emerge as team to beat

The WNBL’s best have made their predictions, and while there are many potential MVP winners, there is one team that has the league looking on with envy in the title race.

The best players in the country have had their say and the target is squarely on reloaded Bendigo Spirit as the team to beat heading into this year’s WNBL season.

In the last campaign under Basketball Australia’s stewardship, the Spirit have pulled together an elite roster, led by bronzed Paris Olympic Opals Sami Whitcomb and Marianna Tolo.

Add the addition of Connecticut Sun WNBA guard Veronica Burton, with the steady presence of veteran leaders Kelsey Griffin and Kelly Wilson and it’s a recipe for success, the majority of players Code Sports spoke with at Wednesday’s WNBL season launch at Foot Locker Melbourne Central said.

WNBL players gather for their season kaWNBL players gather for their season launch at Foot Locker. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

There’s plenty of love for Seattle Storm guard Whitcomb, who was the Opals’ best player in France and is primed for a bounceback from a down year, aged 36.

“They’ve just got basketball smarts everywhere,” Canberra young gun Jade Melbourne said of the Spirit.

“You’ve got Marianna Tolo, who’s one of the best centres in the league, Kelsey Griffin’s just a proven winner, Kelly Wilson’s a savvy vet, Sami Whitcomb’s one of the best players in the competition, you just put all of them on paper and see they’re just a group of proven players who get results.

“This might be one of the most even competition’s ever.”

Beaten grand finalists Perth, led by the elite stars Anneli Maley and Amy Atwell, has its admirers in Bec Cole, who led Southside past the Lynx in last season’s decider 2-1, and emergent Townsville hard-nut Courtney Woods - whose Fire fell to the women from the west in the semis.

“They’re just so talented, really hard to guard, they were great last year and I feel like they’ll just continue to be good. They’ll be really hard to beat,” Woods said.

Four-time Coach of the Year Shannon Seebohm ensures Woods’ Fire are perennial contenders and Jaz Shelley, the face of the league’s newest franchise Geelong United, can’t go past them.

Amy Atwell returns form the WNBA to lead a Perth team looking for grand final redemption. Picture: Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images

“I’m going to go with Townsville, I think they’ve got a pretty stacked lineup and Shannon can coach so I think they’re going to be one of the teams that’s going to go to the end,” Shelley said.

With so much talent set to tip-off in the WNBL this season - seven Opals, three 3X3 Gangurrus Paris Olympians, along with a number of WNBA alumni - the players were divided on who they believed would win the MVP this season.

Those Opals players were popular, with young guns Melbourne and Lightning wunderkind Izzy Borlase attracting votes, along with Whitcomb, Atwell and Paris bronze-medal game hero Steph Talbot.

“I’m going to say Amy Atwell, I’m such a big fan, I’ve never said that to her, I just love the way she plays,” Woods said of Atwell, .

“Playing her in the finals last season, I realised how terrifying and difficult she is to guard.

“She’s my pick.”

Borlase thinks Whitcomb is in store for a renaissance off the back of her stunning Opals campaign, where she stepped up to run the offence, averaging 13 points and 5.3 assists across the tournament, while Shelley has a young gun winning it - either Borlase (20) and running mate Melbourne (22) are in for big seasons.

Melbourne says Talbot, who missed the entirety of last season with an ACL, is ready to tear the league apart.

“A healthy Steph Talbot is very good at basketball, I would love to see her get up and have a healthy year, she’s got a great running partner in Izzy Borlase who might steal a few votes off her,” Melbourne said.

WNBL PLAYERS PICKS

Jade Melbourne is a leading MVP pick. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

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Bendigo - 5

Perth - 2

Townsville - 2MVP

Amy Atwell - 2

Jade Melbourne - 2

Izzy Borlase - 1

Steph Talbot - 1

Sami Whitcomb - 1

Naz Hillmon - 1

Charli Collier - 1