Geelong United recruit Keely Froling on joining the WNBL’s newest franchise

Keely Froling led Melbourne to a WNBL semi-final series last summer. Now, she’ll front up for the league’s newest team when the season tips off on Wednesday.

Keely Froling is ready to suit up for Geelong United for the 2024-25 WNBL season. Picture: Peter Foster

Keely Froling says she questioned what was happening as Melbourne Boomers went bust.

But as the dust settled and a new WNBL opportunity presented itself, the Australian Opal, who earlier this year supported change in the WNBL as the NBL prepares to operate the league from next season, said she couldn’t have asked for a better landing spot in Geelong.

Keely Froling drives to the basket for Melbourne Boomers last season. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

With Melbourne’s licence transferred to Geelong United ahead of the 2024-25 WNBL season, Froling, who captained the Boomers to a semi-final series last season, said it was an easy decision to join the club, where she’d reunite with coach Chris Lucas and teammate Monique Conti.

“I had a great time with the Boomers, and when we found out about all that, it was a little bit, ‘oh, what’s happening?’,” Froling said.

“But really, I couldn’t have landed in a better spot and obviously I know Chris and we have a great relationship. I played with him at Boomers so it feels kind of like we float into this year.”

Froling believed those connections from the Boomers would help speed up part of the process of building a new team.

“I think it helps that we (Chris and I) have a good relationship, we can talk about anything and that relationship is there so it’s a smooth transition so I feel like it’s helped us on-and-off the court,” she said.

“Same with Mon, she’s going to come in and know what’s expected of her so I think it will help.”

Geelong United recruits Keely Froling and Hannah Hank during practice. Picture: GUB

Apart from Conti, Froling didn’t know many of her new United teammates — something she described as unusual in the WNBL — and at 28, would be considered one of the veterans in a young squad.

While several teammates boast college experience, Froling forecasted a lack of pro-level experience could present one challenge for the budding roster.

“We know there is going to be games and it’s going to be tough... it’s just those little decision making things, under pressure decisions when we don’t have that experience,” she said

“But we say that but the way we’ve been training has been really good... I think we’re all on the same page and we all work really hard which is all you can ask for.

“As the challenges come up, we’ll deal with those and move on but I think this group is a really cohesive unit that is going to deal with those well.”

Geelong United's Keely Froling and Townsville Fire's Alicia Froling. Picture: Keely Froling/Instagram

Another test facing Froling first up in Wednesday night’s season-opener against Townsville is twin sister Alicia, who has joined the Fire from Bendigo this summer.

But it’s not a match-up Froling has spent too much time dwelling on.

“We’ve played each other enough now that it doesn't really faze me much now,” Froling said.

“I think it’s more about the club and this group’s first game and our first game in Geelong, that’s what we’re really looking forward too.

“We’ve scouted Alicia — luckily I know her well — but we’ll deal with that and we’ll do our thing.”

Originally published as Geelong United recruit Keely Froling on joining the WNBL’s newest franchise