By all reports they have been doing very well in the off-the-court areas, and this signing confirms that they've got some cash to spend. I agree it's a great signing, and reason for some optimism for Boomers fans.
(I really don't think they were that far off the mark this season in terms of playing personnel. Hopefully they don't neglect the front court this time when they're constructing the team)

A good reference point to keep track of how the teams are shaping up:

Hoopshots WNBL Offseason Tracker

So stoked with that signing, O'Hea is the type of player the Boomers lacked last season - someone who could take over and get the team over the line. I do wonder what will happen with their stacked guards, surely it isn't feasible to keep all 4 of Garrick, Cole, Smart and Conti (who has already re-signed) as the first 3 definitely could start and/or command big minutes on most rosters and Conti will probably continue to improve and deserve an increase in minutes too.

Nonetheless it looks like an exciting off-season across the board, hopefully the league can get some big names across the line.

Does that mean that Boomers no longer need propping up financially by WNBL/BA

If the can afford Ohea for two seasons I hope they can stand on their own feet financially like the other teams have to

And agree re Molloy , his coaching won't change no matter who they have playing

Does that mean that Boomers no longer need propping up financially by WNBL/BA

If the can afford Ohea for two seasons I hope they can stand on their own feet financially like the other teams have to

And agree re Molloy , his coaching won't change no matter who they have playing

Boomers aren't my team, but honestly it is a win for the league and all fans to see a player of this calibre return.

Conti was fsigned first because she will be on an amateur contract most likely if she has aspirations of going to college so a guaranteed pmayer for no financial outlay

From Boti's blog:

BIG news today in WNBL ranks with Melbourne Boomers revealing they have secured London Olympian Jenna O'Hea for the next two seasons.
There's more to come too with Liz Cambage and Louella Tomlinson strongly tipped to form a frontcourt that will bring the Boomers right back into Championship calculations.

McSpadden is signed to the Flames next year.

WNBL stars set for landmark deal which will guarantee them a minimum $7500

AUSTRALIA'S best women’s basketballers are on the brink of a landmark deal which would guarantee them a $7500 minimum wage.
The Herald Sun understands the deal will soon be announced as a huge boost for the 20 per cent of women basketballers who are paid nothing or less than $5000 to play.
And the deal will include a breakthrough in supporting pregnant players, who will have their contracts honoured under the agreement.

Holmes said there had been strong progress on a TV deal after the ABC dumped the competition in 2014/15 due to budget cuts.

IMO - did not think Boomers were not that bad this year - results did not reflect how close they were.

Just lacked a couple of talls and just some 1% finishing skills went amiss at times.

Great to hear some good basketball names being aligned back with WNBL teams.

Also nice about the $ - it is what it is and if everyone keeps looking to market the game / teams / gate things can look up there.

Brittany Smart re-signs with the Boomers.
http://wnbl.com.au/boomers-make-another-smart-move/

Maddie Garrick has also re-signed with Melbourne.
http://wnbl.com.au/melbourne_news/maddie-garrick-commits-boomers-201718/

The club supposedly also has 3 more signings to be announced in the coming weeks.

Could you imagine whitcomb and cambage in the Lynx together......yes please

WNBL: Guy Molloy talks Melbourne's brush with extinction, working with Lauren Jackson and dancing with Bec Cole

http://wnbl.com.au/sami-whitcomb-recommits-perth-lynx/ great to see Sami signing on for another 2 seasons with the Lynx. Hopefully she can get that well deserved MVP award soon!

How do you do links in comments?

HTML link

EXPECT a whopping great Easter present to arrive shortly for the WNBL in terms of a new, long-coveted and long-awaited television deal.

http://www.botinagy.com/blog/cruisy-suzy-stays-put/

interesting that Boti is writing about Tomlinson and Cambage being certainties for the Boomers - I do believe Cambage will be the announcement made today. Also quite interesting that he believes Kerryn Harrington will be switching to AFLW with Carlton - surely the Spirit need to get a good import guard because they definitely struggled big time when she was out injured last season.

So glad Rach Jarry has signed with Canberra, https://twitter.com/WNBL/status/854841602451296257
its great that she will be back in the league. She's definitely been putting in the hard yards since she came back from Europe - many of the mens and womens players do some training at my local park.

Dammit. Jarry would have been the perfect fit for Perth's needs.
Well done, Caps.

https://www.theeveninggame.com/home/sport/cherylchambers

Some more interesting signings from Boti's article today - http://www.botinagy.com/blog/clydesdale-to-run-lightning-horses/

Clydesdale to Adelaide - this one shocked me, but I think going to Adelaide could make her stand out a bit more than on the Dandy lineup.

Scherf to the Caps - not surprised Scherf is leaving Dandenong after the way she was handled last season to be honest.

Mijovic to Dandenong

Kayla Pedersen (F/C from WNBA Connecticut Sun) to Dandenong - played with Dandenong in 2013/14.

Also mentioned Betnijah Laney (WNBA Chicago Sky & Perth 15/16) will be back in the league but no comment on which team.

Liz Cambage signing with the Melbourne Boomers just confirmed by the club

Melbourne Boomers sign basketball superstar Liz Cambage

THE prized signing of international superstar Liz Cambage has catapulted Melbourne Boomers into WNBL championship favouritism.
The return of the 203cm dual Olympian, unveiled this morning on a one-year-deal, caps a landmark week for the WNBL which on Tuesday announced a three-year broadcast deal with Fox Sports.
...

I think only 2-3 Lightning signings have been confirmed - early days yet. Have to see what teh opponents have as well - now Cambage is playing expect some super talls to be in demand.

A bit interesting in the Cambage press conference, the chairman kept alluding to them becoming fully professional team i.e. like Perth training during the day etc. Also seemed to me like they'd finished signing all the 16/17 squad they were intending to keep, so I'd be curious as to where players like Kunek, Thompson, Cunningham and Bowen end up. The Boomers lineup so far certainly does look playoff calibre - if they can all gel together that is, so I'm excited for October!!

Wow Clydesdale to Adelaide, that's a slap in the face for Dandenong, given the captaincy at 23, starting five full court time last two years, how can she be showcased anymore than what she has, Sherf I can understand , but she also will have to work hard or the same thing will happen, grass isn't always greener on the other side, it still needs to be watered and fed to stay green.

How can boomers a team that had no money and had to get backing by BA to stay in comp last year now afford Ohea and Cambage, both demand huge salaries, rumour was close to $200k for Ohea, Cambage would want way more, And now they are going professional .....hope they pay back to money BA and the WNBL dished out to keep them in the comp before spending up big to buy a championship.

Now that the league has to pay a minimum wage to all players unless they are junior developments players it will be interesting to see just how deep these teams are going to run.

Mijovic to Dandenong.....oh dear!!

I've no clue how the Boomers can afford that calibre of players either, but in saying that it is probably just as or close to as important as the TV deal for the league. Players like Cambage in particular draw will draw in so many more people, her face recognition would be just about on par with LJ for the 'casual' basketball fan.

be interesting if someone like Saicha Grant-Allen, Lanay Montgomery or Kai James would be interested in playing in Aust - going to have to counter Liz

Abby Bishop signs with Adelaide

http://wnbl.com.au/mac-adelaide-lightning-welcome-back-abby-bishop/

It's great that Adelaide have been able to get one of their best current SA born players back, she was playing extremely well in France this past season. IMO she's a bit unlucky to not get at least a training camp invite for WNBA based on what she produced in France. The standard of this year's league will surely have to be one of the best ever.

The Boomers are also announcing yet another signing tomorrow.

Clydesdale was 22/23/24 or so with a full time starting pg role at Dandy.

Should they have been playing 17 year olds major minutes instead?

Panousis would go to Sydney most likely , plus Dandenong would not bring in someone like her, they already have two guards of better quality in Whatman and Antoniado sitting there waiting
Toddhunter was a starter in the second half of the season, would imagine she will remain as such for the coming WNBL season, unless they can scoop a top international PG with pl entry of experience, I'd expect they will concentrate on bigs to replace Sherf and Kennedy( who retired).
Any word on Novosel, it would be good if they could keep her, she could start rather than come off the bench

Can you play Tomlinson and Cambage at the same time for a lot of minutes or will they be too slow and not able to get out to shooters?

Scherf confirmed to Canberra on a 2 season deal - I like this move as she will be with the Opals assistant coach, hopefully it pushes her to continue to improve and break into the squad. http://wnbl.com.au/uc-capitals-sign-rising-star-lauren-scherf/

Blicavs is returning to Dandenong for another season and is their first confirmed player to be signed for 17/18, article also implies that Anderson has received an extension to remain coach. http://wnbl.com.au/blicavs-re-signs-rangers-201718/

http://www.botinagy.com/blog/nat-has-unfinished-business/

Nat Novosel is joining Clydesdale in moving to Adelaide. I'm interested to see who Dandenong has up their sleeve because there's a fair chunk of their core group either retired or departed to other clubs so far.

http://wnbl.com.au/championship-star-returns-fire/ Cayla George is returning to the Fire - excellent signing to get back in the league! The Fire really missed her presence last season

Jordan Hooper for WNBL ?

katherine Plouff ?

Ah-Ra Go ?

Danielle McCray ?

Luuuc any analysis on WNBL team needs yet ?

A couple of big signings announced today;
- Nicole Seekamp to Adelaide
http://www.botinagy.com/blog/nicole-back-adding-sa-flavour/

- Carley Mijovic to Dandenong
http://wnbl.com.au/dandenong_news/carley-mijovic-signs-jayco-rangers/

- Jen Hamson returning to Sydney marking the 7th championship team member to re-sign for 17/18
http://wnbl.com.au/hamson-back-flames/

I'm looking forward to seeing what Seekamp can do in the WNBL after being away for so long overseas.

The big signings are coming in thick and fast lately.
Nice work by Adelaide & Melbourne in particular.

Luuuc any analysis on WNBL team needs yet ?

i'm liking the lightning look - 2 great athletes novosel and seekamp.

adelaide is looking good for an inside / outside game.

still need a true 5 to counter Liz

Kunek has said she'll be playing in Europe next year, same with Tolo.

Are Rangers chasing Mansfield?

Allen will be playing for Lyon in France next season - she RT'd an article about her signing a few weeks back. Also read in a Boti piece that Talbot intends to be playing in Europe next season, however in the same article he had Bishop and George staying in Europe too - though I guess things can change.

Madgen did her ACL in March so unfortunately time is definitely not on her side for the 17/18 season.

Definitely would have Mansfield!

Would boomers take bowan and Cunningham as their final 2 spots ?

Mansfield is better. Duh

Jarry cut from Atlanta. was hoping she would get a full contract there

Joycecwas the one who rated Jarry, she actually doesn't do much

Toddhunter is a defensive gutsy player, can't see Dandenong taking a p,Ayer like Mansfield over toddhunter

Probably a bit biased but I hope Bec Cole gets a chance at Opals level, I believe she made a training squad or was on the cusp before her knees went. If she can keep building on her last WNBL season she'd be worth a shot for sure IMO.

Clydesdale has it all over Mansfield, sorry, and plenty of young ones coming through, Opals will be looking to build on their younger players, as the bulk of current players will all be late 20s early /mid 30s by the next Olympics,

Mansfield scored double the points Clydesdale did in almost exactly the same minutes. Also had 5 apg to Clydesdale's 2.8 per game. But yeah, Clydesdale is obviously way better.

Mansfield also put up over 100 more shots in that time, and shot at a lesser percentage....just because someone jacks up shots constantly does not mean they are a better player, look at what they have around them as well, one on one Clydesdale IS a better player, ....did Mansfield get an invite to Opals camp??

Mansfield puts up a lot more shots than Clydesdale - because her team needs her to!
Aimee is more of a traditional pass-first PG, but has also been blessed with a lot more scoring power around her than Mansfield has. Pretty hard to compare the two directly just based on what they do in the WNBL.
I've always been a Clydesdale fan and it was great to see her finally adding some scoring to her game this past season. Mansfield is still the better player for mine, but realistically they both should be aiming for an Opals spot.


"did Mansfield get an invite to Opals camp??"
I don't recall the answer to that, but it's a silly question anyway, because using that logic you probably also want Nat Burton in our starting 5 again, and I don't think she's our best option.

... actually IIRC, Mansfield copped that nasty injury right at the end of the 15/16 season that would have ruled her out anyway, which was a real shame as she was killing it that season.

iirc Mansfield made the initial squad of 27(?) for Rio but was cut quite soon after and didn't make it to the Rio test event or any OS tours. Madgen was the next guard in line after those who made Rio as she was cut in the final cut with Suzy.

If it were me selecting out of Mansfield and Clydesdale I'd go Clydesdale purely for her age - Mansfield will be 31 by the time Tokyo comes by whereas Clydesdale will be 27 and would still be around her prime to lead when the current 16-20ish age group of Opals guards are ready for selection.

Rebuild on the cards as star Perth Lynx pair leave town

Translation: We're going cheap again. No playoffs for Perth this season :(

Ummm... *thinking really hard* ...

is the list of teams that Carley Mijovic hasn't played for now shorter than the ones she has / pehaps it time for an expansion of the league ?

Nothing at all. She's a very good player. I'm sad to have lost her from Perth.
I also don't see the big deal with a Melbourne player returning home after a stint over in the west, especially when it's clear that the Lynx are cutting their budget.
The only interesting thing for me is seeing how Blicavs, Mijovic & Pedersen coexsist, because that's 3 top notch players whose best positions are the 3 and/or the 4.
Seems like Larissa is going to go with small ball this season with Pedersen playing the 5?

I reckon Lavey will go back to Bendigo, a few weeks ago they tweeted a photo of her coaching which seemed a bit of an odd thing to go to the effort of doing if she wasn't playing for them.

Surely Larissa will have learnt from Melbourne's mistakes last season, going small ball - particularly in a league which now has Cambage, Bishop and George back in it, seems quite dangerous.

The Rangers have also announced the re-signing of Steph Cumming - http://wnbl.com.au/dandenong_news/steph-cumming-re-signs-jayco-rangers/

Trying to exploit bigs at the other end is a valid tactic, but yeah I don't know that it's going to work too well against the quality of Cambage or the Batkovic/George duo. Some teams are going to be in a world of hurt in the paint this season.

Some interesting WNBL rosters thus far:

Adelaide: Clydesdale, Seekamp, Novosel, Planeta, Bishop, Brook, Elsworthy

Bendigo: Payne

Canberra: Froling, Jarry, Scherf

Dandenong: Cumming, Blicavs, Mijovic

Melbourne: Cole, Garrick, O'Hea, Tomlinson, Cambage, Smart, Conti, Ott

Perth: Edmonson, Whitcomb

Sydney: Tupaea, Wilson, Snell, Boag, Hamson, Nicholson, McSpadden, Greaves

Townsville: Wilson, Cocks, Murray, George, Batkovic, Garbin

Which Boag is signed with Sydney?
(Carly is currently playing state league over here, and I was kinda hoping the Lynx would sign her up)

Actually jumped the gun there with Boag:

Adelaide: Clydesdale, Seekamp, Novosel, Planeta, Bishop, Brook, Elsworthy

Bendigo: Payne

Canberra: Froling, Jarry, Scherf

Dandenong: Cumming, Blicavs, Mijovic

Melbourne: Cole, Garrick, O'Hea, Tomlinson, Cambage, Smart, Conti, Ott

Perth: Edmonson, Whitcomb

Sydney: Tupaea, Wilson, Snell, Greaves, Hamson, Nicholson, McSpadden

Townsville: Wilson, Cocks, Murray, George, Batkovic, Garbin Actually jumped the gun there:

has planeta signed ? she was very good value

Which fringe Opals have actually joined a club where the assistants coach? No 'fringe opals' have gone to Canberra (Gorrie) or Sydney (Chambers).

Lucas is only coach of the University Games, which is under 23s only.

Nice statistics! Matt Vinci you rock

M ruef has been waived by wnba team - wnba transactions page

Teams go into preseason "camp" with fairly large groups of potential players (in LA's case, especially large), including all their draft picks, plus overseas free agent prospects. By today they need to trim it back to a max of 12 (or in certain cases, 11, if salary cap is an issue).
Was always going to be a big ask for Ruef to squeeze her way onto the reigning champs roster. She gave it a good crack though.

Lacey to Bendigo, please not Dandenong

Let's wait for the announcement from club , surely rangers are not that desperate

I doubt that has anything to do with it. Lavey & Whitcomb complemented each other well as the starting backcourt. Perth's style suited Lavey's strengths. I'll be interested to see if she is as effective next season.
Not that I blame her for going. If the money and care factor is disappearing in Perth then playing close to home makes sense.

Speaking of Lynx starters heading elsewhere, I hear that Adelaide are trying to make more big things happen in time for the coming season.

Perth Lynx sign Alice Kunek

http://www.perthlynx.com/Media/News/alice-kunek-signs-with-perth-lynx

Yes, hopefully. But the way things are shaping up, the Lynx are looking to me like a bottom 3 team this season :(

Lynx lose Mijovic, gain Kunek.

I don't think the Lynx will drop off like some are saying. Lets have a look at the 7 players who averaged 15mins per game or more last season...

Whitcomb
Mijovic
Hamblin
Edmondson
Butler
Lavey
Burton

Whitcomb and Edmondson are back, while Kunek effectively replaces Mijovic. The keys here are the imports. To be honest both Hamblin and (particularly) Butler were both underwhelming as imports, especially compared to some of the gun imports at other clubs.

If they are replaced by two 5-star imports, and they can somehow recruit one more quality Aussie, they are no worse than last season.

Import
Kunek
Import
Whitcomb
Aussie
------------
Edmondson
Burton

Firstly, Kunek is no Mijovic!
Tenaya Phillips was an important player in the rotation when healthy and I doubt she returns.
Despite what the haters here say, Lavey was very effective at the Lynx and leaves a big hole to fill.
I agree that the import duo wasn't top notch, but you get what you pay for, and Perth is paying less and less each season, so I don't see us getting one 5-star import, let alone 2. If we do get 2, then yes, we should be competitive.

We'll see. But IMO the Perth trend is downward, meanwhile the trend of the league overall is upward with the return of some quality aussies to the league, and in particular the big improvements at last season's bottom 2 clubs, Adelaide & Melbourne.

Btw, for those who missed the wedding news, Toni Edmondson is now Toni Farnworth.

Hopefully Perth goes after a legit starting PG (looks like Mansfield hasn't officially signed anywhere yet - I'd love to have her here. Alternatively use an import slot), because Sami needs to stay at the 2 IMO. Last thing we need to do is wear her out with ball carrying duties.

Yep I definitely agree Kunek plays her best basketball as a SF, but she can definitely fill the gap as a PF like she did for most the season at the Boomers but obviously wasn't as effective. I hope she does well over there, she was one of my favourite boomers.

good sized 5s will be in demand to counter Liz

"Wehrung is a nice young prospect"

Yeah, I like her too. (I'm guessing Canberra will be very keen to hang on to her though)

I think it's worth starting a separate Opals 2017 thread, considering we've got the FIBA Asia Cup in July this year.

With the Lynx signing Alice and losing Tess, it would seem obvious their primary target with imports would be a PG and a C to match it with Liz and co.

Sami will remain at the 2 (why change that up?), Alice will more than hold her own at the 3 and Toni is perfect off the bench. Add a quality import PG and the guard/wing positions seem pretty good.

But, the issue is their front court and as Luuuc has alluded to, if the Perth budget is going nowhere but down, then they will be pretty skinny.

From all reports Burton is leaning towards heading overseas and is no guarantee to re-sign. With the lack of spending, what type of big can they sign that can match it with the Cambage's of the world?

If Burton does hang around, that will help the depth but she's no game changer, so it will be interesting to see who they bring in. I felt Hamblin was starting to adjust to the league late last season, so if they can get her back, that would be a good outcome.

A lot of water to go under the bridge yet.

http://www.botinagy.com/blog/hamblin-signs-on-with-lightning/

Ruth Hamblin has apparently signed with Adelaide.

I feel Roberts could well be a good suitor to Perth in that case, though I'm not sure how she would hold up against the likes of Cambage, but she'd be worth a look at the very least for a backup 5.

Kerryn Harrington has also officially switched to AFLW - signing with Carlton. It'll be interesting to see how she goes, given Phillips' success and the high likelihood Conti will go high in the draft plus ex Boomers development player Chloe Molloy is absolutely killing it at the moment and I'd say would go first pick in the draft.

http://wnbl.com.au/dandenong_news/kayla-pedersen-signs-wnbl-201718/

Kayla Pedersen confirmed to Dandenong, I'm interested to see the dynamic between Blicavs/Mijovic/Pedersen to be honest.

that Lightning team looking mighty fine !

Molloy has stopped basketball entirely, so won't be heading off to VCU. She's extremely talented at footy though, she was the leading goal kicker by a fair margin and the best and fairest (equivalent to MVP) for the under18 league this year plus is the leading goalkicker in the senior women's league so far.

Those COE girls are good gets for Dandenong if true.

Lightning's starting lineup to date does look extremely nice on paper. Hopefully it's a super even league again this season, and it'd be nice to see the cellar dwellers of the last few seasons in Melbourne and Adelaide hopefully get into the playoffs.

Colleges will be snapping up The likes of Hayley Andrews and Cassidy Maclane

Why would Conti go there? Wants to play AFLW

Beat it weirdo

It's you're NOT your

Back to basketball....Abbey Wehrung re-signs with Canberra

Kelsey Griffin returns to Bendigo

http://wnbl.com.au/abbey-wehrung-re-signs-uc-capitals/

Abbey Wehrung is returning to Canberra for another season.

Can't help but laugh at that parent comment, I'm definitely not a parent - I'm only a year older than Molloy etc! The only reason I know/care about those switching to AFLW is because I play footy with and against them myself

Tessa Lavey -> Dandenong (2 year deal) is official as per Roy Ward

Lose Clydesdale, gain Lavey.

Any Lightning fans watching this LA-Washington WNBA game?

Neither did I, from the little I knew. Then again I also didn't expect a well-coached WNBA team to just leave a shooter open on the perimeter so much either.
I don't expect too many more games from her like that, but it was fun to watch anyway.

some of Wiese's transition 3s reminded me of LJs pull up 3s in her heyday at the Storm - such a dagger when they drop

got a backlog of games from the W to watch and catch up on.....

Amelia Todhunter has re-signed with the Rangers. http://wnbl.com.au/todhunter-re-signs-rangers/

Also slightly irrelevant but Guy Molloy has been recruited by the NZ Tall Ferns to be an associate coach.

Hodges possibly to Sydney. Boti broke a lot of news this evening: http://www.botinagy.com/blog/ebzery-to-flames-standish-at-perth/


Ebzery from Russia -> Sydney
Standish from Townsville -> Perth

Sydney now:
Tupaea/Ebzery/Snell/Greaves/Hamson
Wilson/McSpadden

Lynx are:
?/Whitcomb/Kunek/Standish/?
Edmondson

Clear where they need to find some good imports.

Townsville and Sydney will announce new player signings tomorrow.

http://wnbl.com.au/whittle-links-fire/

Townsville have signed 23yo 5'11" G/F Marena Whittle from North Dakota State University / Nunawading SEABL. She's currently averaging 15.8pts and 9 rebounds in the SEABL.

Nathan Strempel‏
@nathanstrempel


I'm hearing a 3x Olympian has just signed to play her 1st @WNBL season in #WNBL18. Another huge talent addition to watch on @FoxBasketball!

It'd surely have to be one of the Lynx, Caps or Spirit. The other teams have already signed what you'd assume to be their starting lineups. I can't think of any Australian 3x Olympians who haven't played WNBL.

There was a rumour a while ago that Laia Palau was leaving her euroleague side to either retire or potentially play WNBL - she fits the bill with 3 olympics.

How is a huge pool of players available in Europe when our season directly clashes with theirs, and the money is better over there?
For Americans it makes sense because we've got a solid standard league, and in terms of culture & language it's very easy for them here. Plus in Europe, Americans are restricted players so there are only so many places available for them there until they have to start going down to lower-standard leagues with lower salaries.

Reply #636704
I'll shorten it I think because tl;dr lol

On this rumour. Whoever it is, it's probably a Victorian team since that's where the reporter who broke it is from and the teams he covers.

Agreed on Rowe and Pizzey, especially considering the lack of use Dandenong's bench got last season. It'd be good for them in the long run though to train with and against the large contingent of Opals squad members that Dandenong has though.

Can someone do an updated list of the teams so far ??
So many big names coming back into the comp this year, its great for the league!!

With games being played mid week as well apparently!

http://www.hoopshots.com.au/2017-wnbl-offseason-tracker/

Helen from BasketCase (check out their podcast if you haven't - they deserve all the recognition they can get) does an extremely up to date off season tracker at the above link fyi.

Adelaide:
Sarah Elsworthy (re-signed) G
Aimie Clydesdale (via Dandenong) G
Nicole Seekamp (via AZS PWSZ Gorzow - Poland) G
* Natalie Novosel (via Dandenong) G/F
Lauren Nicholson (via Sydney) F
Abby Bishop (via Tarbes - France) F
Chelsea Brook (re-signed) F/C
* Ruth Hamblin (via Perth) C

Bendigo:
Nadeen Payne (re-signed) F
Kelsey Griffin (re-signed) F

Canberra:
Abigail Wehrung (re-signed) G
Rachel Jarry (via BLMA - France) G/F
Keely Froling (re-signed) F
Lauren Scherf (via Dandenong) C

Dandenong:
Tessa Lavey (via Perth) G
Amelia Todhunter (re-signed) G
Steph Blicavs (Cumming) (re-signed) G
Sara Blicavs (re-signed) F
Carley Mijovic (via Perth) F
Rebecca Pizzey (via CoE) F
Kiera Rowe (via CoE) F
* Kayla Pedersen (via Gesam Gas Le Mura Lucca - Italy) F/C

Melbourne:
Monique Conti (re-signed) G
* Brittany Smart (re-signed) G
Maddie Garrick (re-signed) G
Bec Cole (re-signed) G
Jenna O'Hea (via Seattle Storm) G/F
Bec Ott (re-signed) G/F
Louella Tomlinson (via Misckolc - Hungary) F
Liz Cambage C

Perth:
Sami Whitcomb (re-signed) G
Antonia Farnworth (Edmondson) (re-signed) G/F
Alice Kunek (via Melbourne) G/F

Sydney:
Tahlia Tupaea (re-signed) G
Katie-Rae Ebzery (via Dynamo Moscow - Russia) G
Belinda Snell (re-signed) G/F
Alex Wilson (re-signed) G
Lara McSpadden (re-signed) F
Shanae Greaves (re-signed) F
* Jen Hamson (re-signed) C

Townsville:
Kelly Wilson (re-signed) G
Micaela Cocks (re-signed) G
Marena Whittle (via North Dakota State Uni & Nunawading SEABL) G/F
Mia Murray (re-signed) F
Darcee Garbin (re-signed) F
Suzy Batkovic (re-signed) F
Cayla George (re-signed) F/C

* = imports

Rumour yesterday that Kayla Standish (Townsville) will be headed to Perth.

Cayla George via Phoenix Mercury not re-signed - my bad!

Boomers released today that they will announce another signing next week.
Any suggestions??
Perhaps Tegan cunningham or Kelly bowan returning from last season?

The Boomers definitely need backup in the 4 & 5, and a lesser extent the 3 as well. IMO I don't think they'll be re-signing any more of their 16/17 list, but I'd be happy for Bowen and Cunningham to come back on board. Liv Thompson is another who I'd like to fit back in, although her being a SA girl could mean she's been targeted by the Lightning.

Hopefully Penaluna, she seems to be going well in the SEABL. I just hope she can get her body right again! The Boomers also have Emma Nankervis in a development spot, she's a 6'3" forward, though she's probably not ready to be the first backup.

Who's left from the Boomers 16/17 list ?
Don't boomers have bigs- Cambage, Tomlinson, Jenna ohea could possible slip into the 4, being a versatile player. Or would teams go with 3 or 4 bigs ?

Greaves already signed with Sydney

I'm just suggesting the Boomers go for more bigs because they already a plethora of capable backup guards, they don't have any bench back up whatsoever as of yet for the 4 or 5 spots - Cambage and Tomlinson will inevitably need a rest (or come off due to foul trouble).

From the Boomers 16/17 list there's Bowen, Cunningham, Bygate, Thompson, Penaluna, Black, Keane and Kasey Burton left on the FA list, with Kunek off to Perth.

good bigs a premium to counter Liz

Agreed on Roberts, she really stepped up toward the second half of Adelaide's season. I'd be very surprised if she couldn't find a home this offseason.

Good point Melb Fan, maybe an import to fill the 4/5 spot but who would know with the money they have already spent, who can they afford that is good enough to fill the spot.

Bowen, Cunningham and Burton potentially affordable in the 3 spot if they sign 12 players.

Roberts is playing great basketball in seabl surely Adelaide or even Bendigo might pick her up!!

I've been thinking about that mystery big player that's meant to be signing so went to cross-check the Olympics squads on wikipedia. There's not a lot of players who "three time Olympian" and not from Australia can be. There's only 6 other countries of the last 4 olympics that fulfil that criteria (USA, Russia, Spain, Czech Rep, Brazil, China) to begin with.

From those that I can see that have played 3 Olympics and think aren't retired:
Siemone Augustus - USA - 33, WNBA
Sylvia Fowles - USA - 31, WNBA
Laia Palau - ESP - 37, CZE/EuroLeague
Lucila Pascua - ESP - 34, Spain
Erika de Souza - BRA - 35, WNBA
Kelly Santos - BRA - 37, Brazil
Irina Osipova - RUS - 34, Russia
Petra Kulichova - CZE - 32, Turkey

Interestingly 5 players have played 4 Olympics (Taurusi, Bird, Catchings, Moises Pinto, Chen Nan).

I don't think it's any of the WNBA players. I would guess it is one of Pascua, Kulichova or maybe Osipova.

It's Palau! She's said on a heap of occasions that she'd be playing in the WNBL next season, clearly someone has signed her!

is Palau a big though ?

No she's a PG, but no one ever said the triple Olympian was a big. She's the one who has signed to play in the WNBL though.

Nathan Strempel (the man who made the initial tweet) favourited two tweets, one questioning whether the player in question was signing to Dandenong - he MC's there, and the second was asking if it was Palau. Putting two and two together, I'd say it's Palau to Dandenong.

If that's the case I'm quite surprised to be honest, considering they just lured Lavey back from Perth..

Oh I would have thought Palau would be to good for this league seeing as she led EuroLeague in assists so still got it. Huge signing.

Agree it's weird if Dandenong. Lavey leaves a comfortable gig and captaincy to ride the pine?

Roberts won't be going back to Adelaide. Bendigo might be a good spot for her. Strong bigs are going to be a valuable commodity this coming season.

If it's Dandenong then some serious questions should be asked re their rational, if it Palau she's 37 ....they already have Lavey and literally just signed Toddhunter,
She announced her retirement from the Spanish national team stating the tryouts had given her concerns ""The selection [national team], which has been part of my life for many years, is something that has generated many doubts this year."

And from Euro League followed by this info
"She is currently eyeing up teams in Australia, with Sydney and Melbourne the most likely destinations if she opts to play another year."

Can players get out of contracts if the club recruits over them?

If it's true she's going to Dandenong I'd be seeing red if I was Lavey and Toddhunter.

Don't be surprised if she has signed to play with her ex-teammate Belinda Snell as a back up to Tupaea.

"Boti Nagy‏
@boti_nagy

Betnijah Laney is a huge pickup for @BendigoSpirit. Quality player and @WNBL star. Bet they're not bent with her at 3, @Griffinkelsey23 at 4"


Massive get for Bendigo, she averaged 15.2ppg & 7.8 boards for Perth in 15/16!

Good signing. I was worried Bendigo would lag behind, they have only signed a couple of players.

Zitina Aokuso to the Townsville Fire!

That's great for Zitina - she is soo athletic !! I wonder why she didn't choose the college pathway ?

Great to see Laney back in the WNBL. Wish it was back in Perth :(
Bendigo are going to want to make sure they add some guards who can hit the 3.

Great to see Aokuso getting a gig, how great of her to be able to work with Suzy and Cayla! She could well still be off to college if she has signed an amateur contract like Conti / Bibby have which will allow her to still be eligible. The article implies she finishes high school at the end of this year so there's plenty of time to play the full WNBL season and then head to college in July or whenever they head over.

Boti on Lucas:

"Anyone who knows Chris is well aware he always is at pains to do "the right thing".

Hmmm some would disagree.

Jordan Hooper > Canberra

If Palau has signed for the WNBL that is a huge plus for the league. She is still getting great stats in the Euroleague, lead assists last season.

The experience and leadership she will bring to a WNBL team will be priceless.

If Dandy have signed her, Larissa has showed a lot of forward thinking that will develop the younger players in the team. You do not go to multible Olympics representing Spain, and not have plenty to offer younger players in a team. Depth is what wins championships, and Dandy look to be heading in that direction.

Olivia Thompson -> Perth Lynx

Looking forward........what young guards, Toddhunter is almost 30, Cummings late twenties, and Lavey 24 and already a seasoned Opal, she's a PG not a big, who's she going to develop, Dandenong have yet to sign any young guards that would benefit from any of her experience .

^ Palau and Purcell 2 excellent signings for the league

They sure are. Loving the influx of talent this season.
(need more teams!)

Anyone know the legitimacy behind the Kayla Standish move to the Lynx?

Pick and Roll have it on their Tracker, and they're usually pretty reliable.

If it's true then Perth are looking a lot better than two weeks ago!

It will be interesting to see who Dandenong play at the SG position when Cumming is off the floor. Palau and Toddhunter aren't combo guards.

anon138 look beyond the actual WNBL team to the club as a whole.

The club as a whole isn't usually involved with the wnbl players at all, unless it's via holiday camps and thats usually the bottom end of the roster helping out, not a lot of influence in those short periods.
Yes 1441 Antoniadou would be the next guard for Dandenong to really develop now that Clydesdale is gone if she resigns at least she's been a Dandenong junior too, forgot about her

Certainly some interesting and different line ups for all teams this coming season, hope it's a good thing being as it will be televised finally after three years with no promotion,

"Anyone know the legitimacy behind the Kayla Standish move to the Lynx?"

I think that one is legit.

Having a look at PnR tracker's didn't realise Perth re-signed Burton/Grant/Phillips already.

Still think they're short two starts.

???-Whitcomb-Kunek-Standish-???
Edmondson///Thompson///Burton
Phillips///Grant

Should be competitive if they can get two good players to fill that role but going to be hard this year with Adelaide/Dandenong/Melbourne/Sydney/Townsville all looking very good

"didn't realise Perth re-signed Burton/Grant/Phillips already."

Neither did I. It's definitely not official.
You're correct about those two crucial ??? starting spots if the Lynx want to compete with the many legit finals contenders.

Don't think they javevsigned them yet that's just Pickandrolls predictions.

But happy to stand corrected if it's official via Lynx

There are no predictions on the PnR tracker. We update it once we know the transaction is happening/happened.

^haha settle down LC you knob

Looks like Adelaide, Dandenong, Melbourne and Townsville are almost done with some work still do for Bendigo, Canberra and Perth. There's some stacked rosters in the WNBL this season.

Adelaide: Clydesdale, Seekamp, Novosel, Bishop, Hamblin, Elsworthy, Nicholson, Brook.

Bendigo: Laney, Griffin, Payne.

Canberra: Wherung, Froling, Jarry, Hooper, Scherf.

Dandenong: Lavey, Cumming, Blicavs, Mijovic, Pedersen, Toddhunter, Palau, Rowe, Pizzey.

Melbourne: Cole, Garrick, O'Hea, Tomlinson, Cambage, Smart, Conti, Purcell, Ott.

Perth: Edmonson, Whitcomb, Kunek, Thompson.

Sydney: Tupaea, Ebzery, Snell, Greaves, Hamson, Wilson, McSpadden.

Townsville: Wilson, Wiese, Murray, George, Batkovic, Cocks, Whittle, Garbin, Aokuso.

If PandR's list is correct, then one of those two spare Lynx spots will be filled by an import, a PG you would assume. They are starting to look like this...

C - Burton
PF - Standish (import)
SF - Kunek
SG - Whitcomb
PG - Import

F - ?????
F - Thompson
F - Grant
GF - Edmondson
G - Phillips

What's the chances that bench forward spot could be filled by either Hodges or Boag.

And there's also Tahlia Fejo and Kisha Lee playing well in the SBL. I wonder what's happening with them.

Standish is an aussie permanent resident, so the Lynx can potentially still add 2 imports.
(she got it part way through last season, which is what allowed the Fire to add Amy Kame to their roster)

So fingers crossed for imports at the 1 & 5.
Boag would be a nice addition, but if it's true that Grant & Burton are both signed then I don't know that there's a spot for her unless we're not going with an import in the front court.

I'm being imitated. That's awesome haha.

There has to be another import centre to replace Hamblin. Grant and maybe Burton when going small are the only ones they have that can play there.

I like Burton (Rio was all on the coach) but she really should be suited to 15 mins or so off the bench covering Standish etc.

Standish confirmed at the Lynx.

C - Import
PF - Standish
SF - Kunek
SG - Whitcomb
PG - Import

C - Burton
F - Thompson
F - Grant
G - Edmondson
G - Phillips

If they get their imports right, that's a solid line-up and should have them in the upper half of the ladder again.

Anonymous #637388 - Great insight, thanks for that!!!

It'll be interesting to see who the Lynx get as their imports. It seems like they're going for a more athletic lineup, so perhaps they'll go down the route of a smaller and more agile C like it seems Dandenong will be doing with Pedersen, as opposed to getting a giant like a Cambage/Hamson/Hamblin.

In other news, Canberra have re-signed Kate Gaze.

Someone like Ramu Tokashiki seems like a realistic target for the Lynx to sign IMO - athletic and probably big enough to hold her own in the 5, plus she'd already have the chemistry with Whitcomb.

Yes, Perth's imports will be import. Especially as they are basically relying on Whitcomb now.

*import...ant

Yeah, we have some depth now but it will still take a couple of quality imports to put us into the playoffs, and I'd be surprised if that happened. Hopefully I'm wrong, but it seems like our roster budget is trending in the downward direction based on what we did from year 1 to year 2.

Nat Hurst has officially signed with Canberra http://wnbl.com.au/seven-time-wnbl-champ-nat-hurst-returns-caps/

IMO Canberra are quietly building a very solid roster - all the talk has been about Melbourne but I think the Caps are looking really good already with a few gaps still to fill in that starting lineup.

Hurst signing suggests to me that Mansfield won't return.. I'd see Bendigo as a good suitor for her if she's going to stay in the WNBL. They desperately need a good point guard as it's unlikely Harrington will return after signing up to play AFLW.

^ That's exactly the question that came to my mind as well when the Hurst signing (nice pickup for the Caps) was announced. Hope so!
Bendigo need guards too

So Canberra now has:
Hurst
Wehrung
Gaze
Hooper
Jarry
Froling
Scherf

Certainly forming a competitive team, but not up there with the powerhouses just yet.

Canberra Times story on Nat Hurst says Mansfield is going to Europe. I believe Tolo & Ruef are going there too. Canberra with a brand new starting five next season.

Mansfield could be great but seems to be no budget to sign top players. Maybe all that's left is Burton, bench depth and a C import. Then just relying on Edmondson to play a "Give it to Sam" point game.

Perth's local talent from last season remain unsigned, so I assume that is who the Anon was referring to. Fejo/Lee/Phillips/Grant

Assumption is that some of those are coming back, but nothing official yet.

Canberra has basically no local talent, rarely ever has ( Hurst and Lacey were probably the best they have had in the last 15 years) and probably never will have any local players get anywhere, given both of them had to leave to develop to (and over) competent WNBL standard. Hurst signed as she was going to be living in Canberra for the next year in anycase, no real cheque book or long term recruiting plan there..

Fresh off a ground-breaking 2017 WNBL Championship with the Sydney Uni Flames and currently playing for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, Leilani Mitchell has signed to play the 2017-18 season with Turkish EuroLeague side Hatay.

Leilani Mitchell to play in Europe, signs with Hatay

I enjoy articles and information the site provides but sorry, PnR site layout at the moment is awful to try and read.

Main content squeezed into a narrow field, whilst a header takes up 1/3 of the screen at all times is not an effective use of space.

Rachel Banhan to Bendigo! The talent keeps coming

This season is going to be insanely good - and there's still 5 more import spots available to fill! Can October hurry up please! Hopefully the fixture will be released soon (iirc I read somewhere that it will be released within the next few weeks)

Wow. Great signing.

Perth is really being left behind right now with just Farnworth at the point.

Perth will have an import PG.

Question is who will be the backup? Will Phillips return seeing she's now back in Melbourne playing SEABL?

Tahlia Fejo is putting up good numbers in the WSBL.

Maybe they might even lure back Shani Amos who I thought more than held her own with Perth in 2014/2015.

'Pick & Roll' have Nat Burton, Ash Grant and Tenaya Phillips as 'Contracted'.

Can anyone from P&R confirm this, and let us know how they come across this?

Both Pick&Roll and Hoopshots have good WNBL off-season trackers. However one of them has those three players as 'contracted' and the other one has them as 'free agents'. So one website is right and one is wrong. Who do you believe?

Those 3 are NOT!! contracted.

harvey fan - is that Banham from WNBA Conn Sun - shot 60 points in a college game ?
If it is what a great signing

That's the one. Heck of a college player, but is yet to translate it to the WNBA.
The WNBL seems a great fit for someone in her situation. Very nice signing.

The difference between PnR and HH looks like the latter is only listing official signings. It's handy that they provide links/sources.

I don't think there has been any news on re-signed player for Perth, just the 5 current signings atm (Farnworth/Whitcomb/Kunek/Thompson/Standish).

Reading their off-season wraps, the players mentioned there are Fejo/Grant/Lee/Burton that haven't re-signed, but no Phillips. So I think that suggests she's unlikely to come back but very likely most of the other four do.

Very light looking squad for Australia's "first" pro women's team.

I really like the Lynx's weekly updates on their players around the state leagues / WNBA. I think it's a great idea to generate a bit of interest on their players in the offseason and the state leagues in general. Hopefully the other teams follow suit, it'd be really nice to be able to track all the players' offseason stats etc without having to trawl the various league pages to find who plays where and when.

The big signings keep coming!

Laura Hodges signs with the Lightning.
http://www.botinagy.com/blog/laura-back-for-lightning/

They should be aiming for a top 2 spot this season.

I wonder if they'll move Hodges into the starting SF spot.. Clydesdale-Seekamp-Hodges-Bishop-Hamblin certainly does look like a very good starting 5 on paper. If not, well what a player to have coming off your bench!

Also a little bit of news on WNBL imports in the WNBA for those interested;
- Jordan Hooper (Canberra) has been traded from Connecticut to Atlanta
- Kayla Pedersen (Dandenong) has been signed by Connecticut.

HH is right, PnR is wrong.

Banham played a nice little cameo for any Spirit fans that tuned in :)

Barr's been re-signed to play AFLW with Fremantle next year - though I suppose the earlier finish date for the WNBL could mean that if she chose to / Freo allowed her, she could play both.

There's so much talent in the league next season. Going to be great. Almost makes you wish there's a couple more teams to spread the talent. For example some of those players who were thrown to the wolves in Adelaide last season aren't going to get any minutes or even a roster spot for all the hard work they did.

Maybe if the new TV deal helps with growth.

adelaide with a front court of hamblin, bishop, hodges and planeta will be a very formidable line up. Good shooting guards as well = strong inside and out game. However the opponents are going to be just a as talented.

IMO we will only see this problem with the players who in 16/17 would've filled the 7 onwards spots on the roster not getting a look in this season for this season only - and maybe the 19/20 season. I think a lot of the high end Australian players have come back for the WC next year, just like what happened in 15/16 before Rio.

Though in saying that I think the league should look to expand, definitely before 2020. We definitely have the talent to spread across one more team, and given that it seems imports want to come here, it shouldn't be too difficult to form a new competitive team.

On Adelaide and Planeta.. Is she actually able to return to Adelaide? Aren't Novosel and Hamblin both imports therefore she couldn't? Unless she or Novosel get permanent residency etc before the season.

Tayla Roberts has signed with Dandenong.

Good to hear both Novosel and Planeta are planning on getting their PRs, Adelaide with another import on top of the players they've already got looks very dangerous.

That's going to make Adelaide even more ridiculously stacked if Planeta can come in and not count as an import and they grab another.

How are they going to player all these girls? Max squad size is 10?

clydesdale/ elsworthy / seekamp
novosel / nicolson / seekamp
seekamp / nicolson
bishop / planeta / hodges
hamblin / bishop / hodges

looks like I'm off to a few Lightning games this season.

that's a good team

Lucas can be a bit of an odd guy but he can claim some credit for giving the team an SA identity. Bishop, Hodges, Elsworthy, Brook, Seekamp all SA juniors. Probably a couple of DPs to come as well.

Doesn't seem like Fejo is going anywhere, at least this season:

http://www.botinagy.com/blog/skys-the-limit-/

Any player updates ?

On a side note - BoOmers to announce coaching staff tomorrow...
Anyone know who they are?
Head coach - Guy Molloy

Canberra have signed current COE and u19 Gems point guard Maddison Rocci.

Boomers announced coaching staff.
Head coach- Guy Molloy
Assistant Coach- Katrina Hibbert
Assistant coach- Nicole Howard
Assistant coach- Paul Flynn

Great to see Paul Flynn stepping up into women's.
Only heard great things about him!

Only 1 spot left in their roster who's it gonna be ?

http://wnbl.com.au/melbourne_news/boomers-close-finalising-roster/

I didn't know you could have so many DP players. 15 is a large squad. Melbourne definitely one of the favourites

The final Boomers signing is 6'1 American forward Courtney Duever. She's currently playing BigV with Sunbury and averaging 23pts 11 boards and played college with Central Arkansas.

Last year it seemed the Boomers had 5-6 DPs as well, perhaps it's just that Victoria has a larger pool of high quality youth players to choose from? Although they do seem quite keen on developing local talent (i.e. their academy) so that could have something to do with it too. As far as I know there's no cap on development players?

Agreed anonymous, especially considering the DP's are unpaid. It's probably important particularly for this season because most players still developing who would previously have filled spots 8/9/10 on the roster likely won't get a roster spot with the strength of the league.