WNBL Finals 2024: Southside Flyers forced to play home semi-final series at Melbourne Boomers court

Townsville goes into its WNBL semi final clash with Perth a heavy favourite but the Lynx’s fully-fit Ferr-Aari McDonald looms as a major roadblock in the Fire’s quest to go back-to-back.

Reigning champion Townsville will have to stop Perth's Ferr-Aari McDonald to book its place in the WNBL grand final.

Townsville might be defending WNBL champion and Shannon Seebohm the back-to-back Coach of the Year, but the master mentor is conscious of the monumental challenge a Perth squad loaded with top-end talent poses.

The Lynx boast the WNBL’s two best scorers in superstar Aari McDonald (19.8 points per game), back to her devastating best after missing almost half the season with a knee injury, and Opals flame thrower Amy Atwell (17.9 ppg on a league-leading 2.9 three-point makes per game). Throw in 2022 WNBL MVP Anneli Maley and 195cm Canadian tower Emily Potter and Seebohm sees the Lynx as a “top-two team” — and an opponent not to be messed with.

“You know it’s going to be a really tough series,” Seebohm said.

One-time WNBL MVP Anneli Maley and her Perth teammates won’t be easy to for the Fire to stop. Picture: Getty Images

“We saw Amy Atwell and Miela Goodchild here (Townsville) around Christmas time and they light the place up, so you know we’re going to have to defend our butts off, do our scouting, be really prepared.

“Everyone’s got to be aware of what’s expected and we’re going to have to play harder than Perth.”

Perth coach Ryan Petrik turned the heat up on the Fire, who have beaten the Lynx in all three meetings this season.

“Townsville are the defending champs, were the favourites to win it all before a game was even played, and finished top yet again — All of the pressure is on them, meaning we can play with a reckless abandon to try to take the favourites down,” Petrik said.

Aari McDonald looms as a huge danger for the Fire. Picture: Getty Images

Ryan Petrik has stoked the Fire ahead of their semi-final clash. Picture: Getty Images

“They’ve seen three very different Perth Lynx teams this season, none of which had us as in-sync as we are now.

“Now we have our Ferrari in Aari back in the line-up, we know we’ve got a weapon that can cause them major problems.

“For us, it’s very much the ability to play with a freedom and enjoying the situation.

“They are very well drilled, and know their roles and responsibilities better than anyone. Stopping them is easier said than done.

“For us it’s about picking our poison. We know they’ve got elite talent all over the floor so we know we can’t stop all of it, but we can force them into certain actions and to certain players and force them to try and beat us.”

Fire ace Alice Kunek is back to full health — just in time for Townsville’s finals run. Picture: Getty Images

Fortunately for Seebohm, his squad, save for a minor concern over a tweaked ankle to star guard Steph Reid, is at full strength, with the recent returns of 2011 WNBL champion Alice Kunek and well travelled Swedish tall Amanda Zahui B, giving him a deep arsenal to throw at the Lynx.

“It gives us depth, gives us experience,” he said.

“It’s two players that have played in some of the biggest leagues in the world, Alice is a great shooter … Amanda’s got toughness and obviously can shoot the ball from the perimeter as well which teams have to respect.

“It gives us that full roster back, we’ve got a full compliment we know what everyone’s capable of. Everyone trusts each other we can spread minutes and play as hard as we can in every second we’re on the floor.”

Back-to-back WNBL Coach of the Year Shannon Seebohm says his Townsville side won’t be taking Perth lightly. Picture: Getty Images

FIRE (TOP) V LYNX (FOURTH) SEMI FINAL SCHEDULE

Game 1: Townsville v Perth, Thursday, February 29, 6pm, Townsville Entertainment Centre

Game 2: Perth v Townsville, Sunday, March 3, 12.30pm, Bendat Basketball Centre

Game 3 (if required): Townsville v Perth, Thursday, March 7, 6pm, Townsville Entertainment Centre

*All times AEDT

FLYERS FOCUSSED DESPITE COURT CONUNDRUM

Kicked off its court for renovations, Southside is adopting an ‘anywhere, anytime’ attitude as it prepares to host a ‘home’ semi-final opener against the newly-crowned WNBL MVP and cross-town rival Melbourne — at the Boomers’ digs.

Upgrades at Wantirna South’s State Basketball Centre have turned the second-placed Flyers’ home court into a construction zone, forcing them to play the entire best-of-three semi-final series against the third-placed Boomers at Parkville.

While the club has been aware the venue would be unavailable for finals for some weeks, Flyers’ officials are privately frustrated — and fans less privately.

“As soon as they finished with the new courts they started refurbishing the old side of SBC, so we can’t play finals on our home court — it’s only women’s sport after all,” one source told Code Sports, on condition of anonymity.

“We’ve known for a while and we’re definitely disappointed about it but we’re trying not to focus on it because we can’t control it

“I think the fans who are just finding out are pretty p***ed about it though, as well they should be.”

The Southside Flyers will play their ‘home’ semi-final at their opposition’s home.

Despite the blow, Southside will do their best to turn the Boom Box aqua and coach Cheryl Chambers says the venue bias will be an afterthought when the fierce rivalry between the two Melbourne-based powerhouses goes to another level.

“There is always just that little bit more when the Flyers and the Boomers play each other, particularly in finals,” Chambers said.

“The cross-town rivalry certainly adds to the occasion … and the players know each other well which seems to add to the competitiveness of our games.

“You only need to look at the league MVP Awards to see why the Boomers are one of the top teams, having a nominee in all major categories.

“MVP Jordin Canada is the obvious player all clubs look out for, however, you cannot just focus on the one player — the Boomers are a strong outfit, and we will need to be ready for everything they throw at us.

“We hope to see a big Flyers contingent at Parkville to ensure we have the usual fantastic Flyers atmosphere for our first final.”

Southside coach Cheryl Chambers says the stakes are raised when the Flyers face the Boomers, especially in finals. Picture: Getty Images

It’s also a chance to see legendary GOAT Lauren Jackson back in the heat of finals action after she missed last postseason with injuries. The 42-year-old has wound up her international career, but there’s no indication yet she’s done at WNBL level and continues to play at a level that would suggest she can go on for another season.

The Boomers won two of the three meetings between the clubs this season, but will be out for revenge after the Flyers bundled them out of last year’s semi finals, 2-1.

Still on a high from being named the Suzy Batkovic Medallist, Canada’s attention has quickly shifted to the task of beating the Flyers.

“I think we will be prepared for Flyers but It definitely will be a battle but I think with our resiliency and our fight we can really compete,” Canada said.

“As long as we play our best and to our potential, whatever the outcome is, we will be proud of the work we put on the floor.

“I’m looking forward to the crowd atmosphere and just the experience of what it’s like to play in a WNBL playoff game I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Melbourne might have a full squad to call on for the first time this season with Kiwi internationals Penina Davidson (calf) and Tera Reed (concussion) both a chance to return, the former a game-day decision, the latter likely to suit up.

FLYERS (2ND) V BOOMERS (THIRD) SEMI FINAL SCHEDULE

Game 1: Southside v Melbourne, Wednesday, February 28, 7pm

Game 2: Melbourne v Southside, Saturday, March 2, 7pm

Game 3 (if required): Southside v Melbourne, Wednesday, March 6, 7pm

*All times AEDT

**All games at Melbourne Sports Centres

Originally published as WNBL Finals 2024: Southside Flyers forced to play home semi-final series at Melbourne Boomers court