LC
Years ago
The big dance has finally arrived. It's the two best teams in the league, arguably all season long, battling it out for the 2015 WNBL championship.
Grand Final Preview
While I think that Bendigo has the talent to win, I think that things are falling into place for Townsville to win their first crown.
It's going to be a close one!
http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/2927687/griffin-leads-spirit-back-to-big-dance/?cs=81
+
Years ago
watch cayla have a big game - wnba waiting - time to shine
ANON
Years ago
A lot of pressure on Lucas given the amount of money that Townsville are throwing at this team. If he cant win this year with the addition of Francis and the obscene amount they are paying Baktobitch he will be out of a job. It is a joke of a competition where there is no salary cap it is hardly a level playing field and certainly no reflection on who can coach and who can't.
Best team performance on the day will win. Including the coaching staff. No pressure but both teams need to look outside the square and believe!
#519812 you couldn't be more correct that there is a lot of pressure on Lucas but it's time to step up now or else he will be the biggest joke. Yes a salary cap is critical for this comp with everyone allowed 1 marque player. I'm thinking Bendigo by 5
Busdriver
Years ago
The karma bus is due to arrive at the stadium at 5pm on Sunday.
Some people have a lot to answer for. If only the public knew. It's amazing what can be hushed or twisted to get people off the hook
Jack Toft
Years ago
Bendigo to sneak past Townsville, Griffin to have a blinder
@#519862
Care to elaborate? Or is this just more fiction?
Bulldog
Years ago
Two minutes remaining and Townsville leading 75-65.
Mia Newley has been big with 23 and 7 boards, Suzy Batkovic with 22 and 10 for Townsville.
For Bendigo Belinda Snell leading the way with 17 points, 2 steals and a block, while Gabe Richards has stepped up in the last fe minutes to take her tally to 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Bulldog
Years ago
And its all over, congrats to Townsville for taking out their first championship 75-65.
Gabe Richards ripping down 17 boards in a loss and pairing it with 13 points, but it was Newley with 23, 7 boards and 3 assists joining Batkovic (22, 11 and 3 blocks) to lead Townsville to the holy grail.
Great to see a South Aussie among the top performers. As someone who knew how good Mia could be, it is great to see her show it off on the grandest stage.
Once again, congrats Townsville!!
Should have basketball world club championships...
Champions will not be recognised unless they are showcased. Chris Lucas gave Mia Newley the opportunity and look what she did with it! Go Mia you are amazing.
Gabe Richards has stepped up? How? Please explain.
LC
Years ago
Townsville's maiden title allowed retiring captain Rachael McCully her first championship after 15 years in the league.
The star of the show however, was Mia Newley who erupted for 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists on her way to the Rachael Sporn medal (Grand Final MVP).
Townsville Fire crowned Champions!
Did anyone notice how Lucas didn't shake the Aussie Hoops kids hand nor did he thank his team manager.
I wouldn't look into it too much, might have just got caught up in the moment of it all.
#520234 I noticed. It was very clear when every other fire player greeted the child handing them their trophy and shook their hand or gave them a pat on the head. Didn't look very classy at all that the townsville coach just snatched the trophy and turned his back on the child.
I remember back to his lightning days when people here thought he was all about himself. Leopards don't change their spots it may seem.
Okay, didn't see that at all but if true then that little kid will remember it and so will the parents, little things like that do matter. Unfortunately for him, it seems to have been picked up, so if I were that coach I would quickly find out who the kid was and rectify my mistake with a signed photo or something!
520247
"Of course" we should get over it. Just like everything else that gets swept under the carpet by the fella. Teflon man.
So Townsville finally win a title... oh there's a W in front... lol. carry on
Just checked my recording to see if that Lucas comment was correct. I had to chuckle a bit. The kid sort of starts to reach his hand out to shake hands and Lucas totally leaves him hanging.
Hardly a big deal though. Come on. That is pretty picky to level a serious criticism at him about that.
I thought Wilson's over-dribbling, selfishness and refusal to pass to open players doomed Bendigo.
Dunkin' Dan
Years ago
Bendigo just looked too much like they were in panic mode all game IMO. Snelly being on fire early covered it up for most of the first half, but in the 2nd they really did not look like the composed and smart Spirit team we're used to seeing.
Hard to place too much of the blame onto any one player for that. With the system going nowhere, some players took it upon themselves to make things happen, with varying degrees of success, but it's never a good formula over the course of a game.
They really missed Kristi's floor leadership. That made all the difference IMO.
For all apparent disparity, the Fire never really buried the Spirit. The game was there for the taking until quite late in the piece.
Glad to see Townsville get up though. Amazing support up there for their team. The fans are there in numbers and they are passionate. Sadly, that really highlighted how badly the Crocs have dropped the ball in recent years.
Stoked for McCully to go out with a title. Has been a top player for a long time.
Lucas did a school visit to see the kid that presented him with the medal and gave him a signed ball. Nice to see!
You need to be a registered user to post from this location. Register here.
Advertise on Hoops to a very focused, local and sports-keen audience. Email for rates and options.
An Australian basketball forum covering NBL, WNBL, ABL, Juniors plus NBA, WNBA, NZ, Europe, etc | Forum time is: 3:43 pm, Fri 22 Nov 2024 | Posts: 968,026 | Last 7 days: 754
