Fire snatch Townsville talent Alicia Froling from southern WNBL rivals the Bendigo Spirit

The Townsville Fire have completed a major coup to secure the signature of one of the finest North Queensland basketball talents of the last decade. Find out how the Fire pulled it off.

Alicia Froling started out with the Fire as a development player in the 2011/12 season, making three WNBL appearances across three seasons before departing to play college ball in America. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The Fire will lay down a welcome mat for hometown pride Alicia Froling after the Townsville-born basketballer agreed to return to where her WNBL journey began over a decade ago.

Less than 12 months ago Froling signed on for another two years at the Bendigo Spirit, but a change of heart has seen her given an early release to come home to North Queensland.

The 28-year-old forward started out with the Fire as a development player in the 2011/12 season, making three WNBL appearances across three seasons before departing to play college ball in America.

She said it was a special feeling to return to her roots.

“I’m super excited to be joining the Fire and getting the chance to work with Shannon (Seebohm, head coach),” Froling said.

Alicia Froling guards 2023/24 Townsville Fire development player Ella Tofaeono. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“Townsville is home and where I first played WNBL, so to be able to be back and play in front of my family and friends means so much.

“I can’t wait to get to work and see what we can achieve this season.”

The 187cm forward will bolster the Fire’s squad after a clean-out at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Of the six players currently signed for the upcoming season, only two players are returning from last year: Courtney Woods and Saffron Shiels.

Froling averaged 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds for Bendigo last year, earning selection as a finalist for the WNBL’s sixth woman of the year. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Froling averaged 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds for Bendigo last year, earning selection as a finalist for the WNBL’s sixth woman of the year.

Seebohm said that Froling would be a great addition to the squad.

“It’s exciting to have Alicia signed to play with the Fire this season,” Seebohm said.

“As one of the toughest and most hardworking players in the WNBL, she perfectly suits our style of play, and I’m thrilled that we have now been able to bring another Townsville junior back home to play professionally with their hometown team.”

Townsville general manager Sam Pascoe said she was excited to sign a homegrown talent.

“Her experience, leadership, and connection to our community will be invaluable to our team as we pursue another championship,” Pascoe said.

“Alicia exemplifies the spirit and determination that define the Townsville Fire.”

On Thursday the Fire welcomed 198cm goliath Lucy Cochrane to the fold, giving Townsville some much-needed height around the rim.

Upon signing with Townsville, Lucy Cochrane (left) became the equal-tallest active player in the WNBL, matching Mercedes Russell and Ruth Davis at six-foot-six. Pictured with the Portland Pilots attempting to block Kansas State Wildcats’ Ayoka Lee. (Photo by Peter Aiken / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Upon signing, Cochrane became the equal-tallest active player in the WNBL, matching Mercedes Russell and Ruth Davis at six-foot-six.

The University of Portland graduate spent the 2021/22 NCAA season playing alongside her new Fire teammate Alex Fowler for the Pilots in the West Coast Conference.

Cochrane has represented Australia in under-17s and under-16s, and last season she had the second-most blocks (102 in 33 games) of any US college player besides Stanford star Cameron Bink (127 in 34 games).

WNBL memberships go on sale next week on July 17.

As of this week, the squad is made up of Courtney Woods, Saffron Shiels, Lauren Cox, Alex Fowler, Lucy Cochrane and Alicia Froling.

Originally published as Fire snatch Townsville talent Alicia Froling from southern WNBL rivals the Bendigo Spirit