WNBL finals: Canberra Capitals outrage after Perth Lynx grabs final grand final berth

Covid-hit Canberra Capitals have blasted the WNBL’s decision to deny them an ‘opportunity to participate’ in the Grand Final as Melbourne and Perth get ready to face off in the decider.

Melbourne and Perth will contest the WNBL Grand Final starting this weekend after the UC Capitals withdrew from the finals race stating they had no other option than to prioritise the health of their players.

On Sunday, the second game of the semi-final series against Perth in Canberra was postponed

because of a Covid outbreak in the Caps team.

The series was reduced to a two-game decider to be played in Perth, who maintained home court advantage, on Wednesday, but on Tuesday afternoon Canberra advised the league it couldn’t participate in the game.

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Alicia Froling and Kelsey Griffin have been denied a chance to make the WNBL decider.

The Caps, which have eight positive Covid cases, said in a statement they were devastated by the decision they’d been forced to make.

“Following consultation with medical staff, the club was not prepared to risk the health and welfare of the team by committing to a long-haul flight early next week just as the affected athletes end their isolation period,” the club said.

“The chance that some may still be suffering symptoms, thereby not receiving medical clearance to play, or simply requiring more time to return to match fitness posed too much of a risk.

“The UC Capitals are incredibly disappointed with the outcome and lack of opportunity to

participate. The club simply could not consider playing as the decision to move the game to Perth made our participation unreasonable.”

The Lynx, who prevailed in the series opener 91-77, advance to the best-of-three series against

Melbourne Boomers, who won through with a 2-0 sweep of Adelaide.

The Melbourne Boomers will host the opening game on Saturday, before the series heads to Perth on April 6 with a deciding third game, if needed, back in Melbourne on April 9.

Canberra’s Alicia Froling took to Twitter to say her team had been ‘backed into a corner’.

“Doesn’t take an expert to realise that would put us at a high risk of injury not to mention giving us no time to see how our bodies feel after contracting covid,” she posted.

Just to be clear, the wnbl didn’t give us an option. They backed us into a corner & forced us to choose between playing IN Perth the day after we got out of quarantine (so travelling 5 hours on a plane, not to mention not training all week) or not playing at all 🤷🏻‍♀️ https://t.co/7At7nT6acX

— Alicia Froling (@AliciaFroling) March 29, 2022

Doesn’t take an expert to realise that would put us at a high risk of injury, not to mention giving us no time to see how our bodies feel after contracting covid. As a playing group we’re really upset & frustrated…our chance at a title has been taken away bc of mismanagement

— Alicia Froling (@AliciaFroling) March 29, 2022

“As a playing group we’re really upset & frustrated…..our chance of a title has been take away because of mismanagement.”

Head of WNBL Christy Collier said the health of players came first.

“We’re understandably disappointed for Canberra that they’re unable to complete their finals series against Perth, however, also completely understand that the health and wellbeing of their team must take priority. We wish them all the best in their recovery,” she said.

“We now look forward to the Grand Final between Melbourne and Perth. Both teams will be fired up and ready to go and it should be an incredible series.”

Ryan Petrik has been rewarded for a big season with the Lynx.

Lynx coach picks up top gong

Ryan Petrik has dedicated his Coach of the Year award to his Perth team.

The second-year Lynx coach claimed the accolade on Tuesday, he steered the group to an 11-5

record despite starting the season a month late and spending 44 days based in Ballarat to start the year.

“I wish it was a team award, it has way more to do with the players, group and everyone involved than just me,” he said.

“It all goes back to the players, we’ve got a great coaching staff and great admin crew, everyone around me is fantastic which makes my job really easy, but ultimately, it’s the players. They run the program and we just try and steer the ship in the right direction.

“It was their toughness and resolve to get through our time in Ballarat, especially when the WA border changed and we genuinely believed we weren’t going to finish the season. How the players got through that will always amaze me.”

Caps star rewarded for big season

Capitals import Britt Sykes set herself several goals when she came to Australia, one was to win the Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year and she achieved just that averaging 5.19 (steals + assists – turnovers) per game.

Southside’s Kristy Wallace’s wonderful 2022 has continued with the sixth woman of the year award.

Last week, Melbourne star Ezi Magbegor claimed the Betty Watson Australian Youth Player of the Year for a third time.

The Suzy Batkovic Medal for league MVP will be announced on Friday.

Originally published as WNBL finals: Canberra Capitals outrage after Perth Lynx grabs final grand final berth