Good mates Bec Cole and Anneli Maley are ready to fight it out in opening grand final rematch

Perth star Anneli Maley is passing the Lynx’s WNBL season-opening grand final rematch with Southside as ‘just another game,’ but Flyers’ star Bec Cole isn’t so sure.

Good mates off the court, Southside Flyers’ captain Bec Cole reckons Perth Lynx rival Anneli Maley is playing a straight bat when she says their grand final rematch to open the season is “just another game”.

Maley, 26, and Cole, 32, battled it out in last season’s decider, Southside coming back from 1-0 down to claim the title. While the Lynx’s rebound queen says the heartbreaking defeat is in the rearview, the Flyers’ scoring machine isn’t so sure.

“As much as it’s ‘just another game’ because it’s a whole new season, deep down, there is still some feelings there, for sure,” Cole, who reckons the reigning champions should have been given the honour of hosting the season-opener in Melbourne, rather than in Perth, told Code Sports.

The Southside WNBL25 squad will look different to last season’s title winning team. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“I know when we lost to Townsville (2023 grand final), you still have that fire in your belly of how bad it is to lose and you want to get that game, that series back.

“They have kept a fair bit of their core team, they’ve added some great players who really compliment them.

“I know their coach (Ryan Petrik), he’s bringing it, and those girls will too.”

Cole is among just four players to back up from last season’s championship team, while Maley’s squad returns eight players, giving it a significant edge in chemistry and familiarity.

Anneli Maley returns to the Lynx for WNBL25. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“We have a really talented team, we have a lot of returners, lots of continuity and then adding in pieces like (import) Laeticia Amihere and Ally Wilson, that’s going to make us better,” Maley said.

Cole will play under new coach Kristi Harrower after the off-season departure of three-time WNBL coach of the year Cheryl Chambers.

“Very, very new team, new coach, we only have four returning players and two of them will have much more opportunity in Carly (Ernst) and Dallas (Loughridge), this season,” Cole said.

“Alice Kunek, Naz Hillmon, Tera Reed, they will add explosiveness to the line-up and I think we’ll be more known as a defensive team but we have a lot of scoring power,” Cole said.

Southside's Bec Cole and Perth's Anneli Maley haven't had to wait long for the WNBL grand final rematch. Picture: Foot Locker

The pair admits they “fight” each other on the court but, off it, there is great respect — they were once teammates at the Flyers and have flown the flag for Australia in the international 3X3 format.

“Coley and I are super close off the court, she was a role model of mine when I played in the same team as her,” Maley told Code Sports at the recent WNBL season launch at Foot Locker Melbourne Central.

“Then, on the court, we pretty much fight each other.”

PERTH LYNX V SOUTHSIDE FLYERS GRAND FINAL REMATCH

Saturday, November 2, 10pm AEDT, Bendat Basketball Stadium, Perth

Originally published as Good mates Bec Cole and Anneli Maley are ready to fight it out in opening grand final rematch