Geelong United’s Sarah Elsworthy embracing return to WNBL, reuniting with coach Chris Lucas

Five years after last playing in the WNBL, Sarah Elsworthy is back as part of Geelong United’s inaugural squad. She opens up on her road back as she prepares to take on former club Adelaide.

Sarah Elsworthy drives at the basket during the round two WNBL match against Bendigo Spirit. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

A second chance in the WNBL is never guaranteed but the decision by Geelong United’s Sarah Elsworthy to “stay ready” has paid off as she prepares to face her former club.

A breakout first season for Adelaide Lightning as an 18-year-old in 2017-18 saw the South Australian finish runner-up for Rookie of the Year behind now United teammate Monique Conti, as the guard spent a total of four seasons with the Lightning as either a contracted or train-on player.

Sarah Elsworthy in action for Adelaide Lightning in 2016. Picture: Stephen Laffer

Four years with Geelong’s NBL1 team from 2021-24 was treated with equal levels of seriousness and preparation, before opportunity finally came knocking as the city ushered in a new WNBL team this year.

“I haven’t had the expectation I was going to get another WNBL contract but I guess, you always want to be ready so that’s what I did,” Elsworthy said ahead of Saturday’s round 3 clash against Adelaide.

It proved a full circle moment, her former Lightning coach Chris Lucas arriving as head coach in the very place Elsworthy had made her home.

“I’ve enjoyed playing for him again and my experience playing for him last time, I know him pretty well and I know his systems pretty well,” she said.

“I think we’re really building something here... really loving it.”

Armed with a similar mentality heading into her first season back in the WNBL, Elsworthy has no expectations except the ones on herself to work hard and play a role that can contribute to the team’s success.

“I know the kind of expectations that are required in the WNBL and in a team that Chris coaches so I think that’s definitely helped make the jump not as big going back into the league for the first time in a while,” she said.

“Since then, I’ve obviously got older, got some more experience... in my point guard role, I’ve found that’s really helped because in our position you’ve got to focus not just on yourself.”

Sarah Elsworthy of Geelong United. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

With Elsworthy’s defensive game a strength, Lucas credited his the 26-year-old for improving her offensive game in the years since working together at Adelaide.

Her injection in Geelong’s first win against Southside Flyers earlier this month showed what Elsworthy is capable of, ultimately finishing with 12 points, as well three assists and four rebounds.

“The defensive end is big focus for me, bringing energy down that end, being disruptive, hopefully getting some steals or just putting their guards under pressure,” she said.

“Just those hustle energy plays and then offensively in the point guard spot just trying to get runs to set up offence and going from there.”

At a crossroads

Coming out of what would be her final season at Adelaide, Elsworthy signed with Knox for the 2020 winter season though it was cancelled before it even began as the Covid-10 pandemic took hold.

It saw Elsworthy, who had spent the last few years moving every six month to play between the WNBL and other leagues, at a crossroads, as she decided to shift more of her focus to finishing her university degree.

Sarah Elsworthy is embracing a chance to return to the WNBL. Picture: Peter Foster

With a desire to continue playing high-level basketball, it led Elsworthy to Geelong, with the strength of the NBL1 South coupled with an ability to complete her Occupational Therapy studies at Deakin University.

“I just knew once I finished (my degree), that gives me more flexibility with basketball and with the rest of my life with where I want to live and where I want to play,” she said.

Captaining Geelong’s NBL1 squad and playing in local competitions, Elsworthy said she had met people who care deeply about the team and the players, something she believed had made Geelong “a home away from home” for her.

“When Geelong got a WNBL team it was one of the reasons I said yes to doing it,” she said.

“I feel really proud to represent the Geelong community and be the only local girl on the team.”

Familiar foes

In another full circle moment, Elsworthy takes the court against her former team Adelaide Lightning on Saturday night.

As the Lightning eye its first win of the season and Geelong intent on victory number two, Elsworthy is excited by the opportunity, which will see her go toe-to-toe with a familiar face in Lightning captain and Australian Opal, Steph Talbot, both hailing from the same small town where “everyone knows everyone”, Kadina on the Yorke Peninsula.

“They’ll be at full strength for the first time, which is really exciting,” Elsworthy said.

“We want to play at our best against other team’s best.”

• Geelong United tip off against Adelaide from 6pm Saturday night at Geelong Arena. Tickets available here.

Originally published as Geelong United’s Sarah Elsworthy embracing return to WNBL, reuniting with coach Chris Lucas