Geelong United coach Megan Moody is four games away from another undefeated regular season

Geelong United’s undefeated NBL1 South women’s team might be in a pretty unique situation with just a few games to play, but it’s familiar territory for its senior mentor.

Megan Moody has guided Geelong United to an 18-0 start to the NBL1 season. Picture: Ian Knight.

Geelong United might be in the pretty unique position of an 18-0 start to the NBL1 South season, but its coach Megan Moody has been here before.

And it ended pretty well that time, too, seven years ago.

It’s unclear if United’s spotless season with just four games to run is an NBL1 record but they’re closing in on a benchmark laid down by Moody and her Bendigo Braves women’s team seven years ago in the then SEABL.

Leaning in on the synergy built by United WNBL players Jaz Shelly, Gemma Potter and Hannah Hank during the 2024-25 season, aided by the return of Taylor Mole in May, the NBL1 outfit has won their 18 games by an average margin of 24 points.

A seven-point defeat of Sandringham in overtime in Round 5 remains their only win by single digits, with 12 victories by 20 points or more.

Geelong United coach Megan Moody speaks with Hannah Hank on the sidelines. Picture: NBL1

And it’s come despite the loss of new recruits Annika Stewart and Raini Matthews to season-ending knee injuries.

Health issues have also impacted the coaching staff, with Moody battling illness and losing her voice last week — handing the reins to Simon Nicholson on Saturday against Frankston at the Geelong Arena.

Seven years ago, Moody was named SEABL coach of the year, going through the regular season undefeated before dropping the opening final to Launceston.

Looking back on it now, Moody said that loss was beneficial in the long run.

“I think it was a very good thing for us,” Moody said.

“Sometimes you get a bit complacent ... I think sometimes you can take the foot off the accelerator a little bit, so sometimes a loss is a really good thing to happen.”

However, complacency doesn’t appear to be an issue yet at Geelong Arena.

Moody instructs her charges during a time out. Picture: NBL1

Moody has enjoyed terrific buy-in from the players, admiring their desire to do the little extras at training which was ultimately showing up on court.

“I think anyone who watches the games can see they all really play for each other,” Moody said.

“I think it tells, the chemistry that they have.

“(The senior players have) really led the way ... not just on the court but off the court, with work ethic ... doing all those little things, the extra one percenters that probably people don’t realise.

“Most people just think you just turn up to training and that’s it, but it’s all the extra, added stuff they do on the side.

“And they’re teaching the next generation coming through which was been really pleasing to see too.”

Moody guided the Bendigo Braves to an unbeaten SEABL regular season in 2018. Picture: Ian Knight.

While the likes of Shelley, Hank and Potter have brought obvious class to the mix, Moody says United’s success has extended far beyond that trio.

“I would think that our strength is our team, we use that old saying of: ‘we is greater than me’,” she said.

“If someone is going to try and shutdown Jaz Shelly, well then they’ve got the next four players on the court that they’re also going to have to focus on.

“On any given night any of our players can step up and be the leading point scorer.

“I think our strength is our depth and ... the selflessness that the team plays (with).

“Everyone’s happy, no matter who scores.”

While the loss of Stewart and Matthews – following multiple ACL injuries – has been tough to watch, Moody has loved watching the return of Taylor Mole after major back surgery which derailed her WNBL season.

“To see her back out on the court, driving the ball to the rim, knocking down open threes (has been great),” she said.

Moody coaches the Bendigo Braves. Picture: Ian Knight.

“She’s taken a couple of good hits and hit the deck pretty hard too, but been able to keep bouncing up.

“To see her confidence grow each game ... confidence in her body, any player that’s been injured, had a significant injury long term knows it’s that self confidence, finding that trust again and that belief of knowing: ‘I can do this’.”

Meanwhile, United WNBL coach Chris Lucas, based in Adelaide, has been overseeing the program and seen a couple of games live.

“Chris is still heavily involved, he’s on the phone to (the coaching group) each week giving us his thoughts on things he’s seeing,” Moody said.

Geelong United WNBL head coach Chris Lucas has been overseeing the NBL1 program. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images.

“Things we need to do better or tighten up on, or things we’re doing well.

“He’s also checking with the players regularly as well.

“As much as he’s not here in person, he’s definitely here across our program, making sure it’s moving in the direction that it should be moving.

“It’s a tremendous asset to have a coach of his calibre and his experience willing to work with those levels down in the NBL1 and the Big V Youth League.”

Second-placed Keilor, who have only dropped two matches, loom on July 18 in a big finish to the regular season.

Originally published as Geelong United coach Megan Moody is four games away from another undefeated regular season