FLAMES STAR LAUREN MANSFIELD SIDELINED BY INJURY

Star Brydens Sydney Uni Flames guard Lauren Mansfield will miss the majority, if not the remainder, of the WNBL season due to injury.

Mansfield sustained what was originally believed to be a minor calf injury in the game against the UC Capitals last week, but scans revealed a tear to the left calf tendon requiring some significant rest and rehabilitation.

Mansfield will be out of Sunday's game against the Townsville Fire at Qudos Bank Arena but there is a chance she could return for some games before the season’s end.

"Initially I got the news saying it was eight weeks, but it could be less depending on how it feels and how the rehabilitation goes," Mansfield said.

“Getting back is something I’ll work towards and it’s good for me mentally to have that goal, but I’ll also be smart about it as well.

“Obviously I’m pretty bummed about it. It has been a crazy year and I’m more upset for my team than anything else.

“It’s been a disrupted year but I think I’ve been able to be a steadying presence on the team adding some experience. Now to not be able to be on the court with the girls I’m super disappointed but I’m looking to be a more vocal presence on bench and at training. You will hear me more.”

That is music to the ears of any Flames supporter but it also comes as Mansfield had been putting together a solid season individually.

The co-captain has been averaging 13 points a game and leading the Flames in assists for the season at 4.4 a game.

In the win over Bendigo Mansfield had 21 points shooting 7-11 from the three-point line.

“That’s what’s so frustrating,” Mansfield said.

“I’m in good form, my body had been feeling good, I felt fit and I was finally making some shots.”

Flames coach Shane Heal said Mansfield’s loss was a big blow to his young side.

“I’m shattered for Loz being ruled out for the rest of the season,” he said.

“She has been amazing for us on and off the court. Her poise and leadership will be sorely missed in this young team. Not to mention the scoring she has added over the season including her seven threes in our win.

“I think she has had her best season of her career and has shown the true value she has added.”

The Flames game at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday will be the last double-header of the season with the Sydney Kings.

The Flames v Townsville Fire will take place Sunday, 6 at 3.30pm at Qudos Bank Arena.

This 3rd quarter by Maley has been nuts

NY needed a post player badly so can't blame the team for getting one. (Clearly not just a Sandy decision either)

Is Maley ready right now to be in the Opals 12? I'm not convinced.
I love her, but bullying an understrength WNBL team is not the same as international ball.

Whoever ends up with Maley at NBL1 level will win the league. She's legit

Messy & stressful game today. Tough OT win by the Lynx, made possible by Sharp's triple at the end of regulation.
Been proud of the road warriors all season but especially so after that one.

I think Ben Waterworth is one of the better commentators myself.

How Melbourne lost that game is beyond me. Perth team was essentially a bunch of no-names who were lucky enough to have some big threes drop. Allen as always tried hard and played well especially in the last quarter but today just highlighted that she can't do it on her own and they need Madgen and George.

I noticed Billings getting 20 points in the first half, but subbed out.
Didn't wanna win by too much. (Mercy rule)

York won less than 15% of games over 3. Years - (new coach)

on less than 15% of the budget of the big teams, give her a break, she is hamstrung by the powers at Bendigo and keeps battling away, she is a ripper

aaaand Perth are going home.

It cites illnesses so I wouldn't be ruling COVID out just because they haven't specifically mentioned it. Given COVID presumably hampering the ability to bring anyone into the squad and the Opals situation it hardly seems reasonable to ding them for it.

Why they're rescheduling, which they've just announced they'd stop doing, I don't know.

This is coming across seriously weak as piss by Perth. Going home early and essentially abandoning the season is one thing, but just not turning up to a game because they "can't field a team" is a joke. Are they professionals or aren't they?

If it isn't COVID then not showing up is a forfeit. You can't just decide not to show up.

Correct.

So:
Burrows
Gandini
Young
Ciabbitoni
Sharp
Clarke
Isenbarger
Hoycard
Scherf

That's nine. They need eight to play. So two of them are injured/ill. Wasn't Clarke carrying something as well, or am I misremembering? Either way, it's hardly implausible or a sign that they're just quitting.

And I have no idea where "going home early and giving up on the season" comes from, they're going home a week later than planned to play home games like every other club in the league has had the opportunity to do this season.

Kobe was likely thinking of Clarke's concussion, which she returned from to play some minutes in last weekend's game vs Melbourne

Probably: I haven't seen the Melbourne game because it's locked behind a Kayo subscription and I refuse to pay $25 for one game of basketball.

According to today's paper - for what it's worth - Isenbarger is sick, and Burrows (back), Clinch Hoycard (knee) & Mabrey (foot) are out injured.

I wouldn't mind Billings and Aokuso
Get to watch them, tonite, at least.

The second I heard that girl's voice I had to turn it off and watched the entire game muted. Nothing personal but as a commentator she is seriously unbearable.

I borrowed someone's Kayo to watch the Lynx-Boomers game and they claimed a technical foul was an unsportsmanlike. One of the Canberra games they were shocked to see someone ejected for getting a technical and a USF. So far the WNBL commentary has made Dwayne seem knowledgeable by comparison.

Corbin is by far the best of the lot. Used to really like Jack Heverin as well, would be great if they could get him back. Jason Bennett and Ben Waterworth are good as well - I like Ben although a few others have said they find him annoying.

Understand that Julia is pretty new but there's just something about her that drives me completely insane. From the first game I heard her call a game, I hoped it was a one-off but no such luck and for me it's got to the point where I have to have the game on mute. Steph Blicavs is much better and that's without her having the uni qualifications and other experience that Julia has. Even Lori and Jenni are nowhere near as annoying, and particularly in the case of Jenni that's saying something.

I was talking primarily about Chizik, who should have zero excuse for being as clueless as she is.