Gee the NBL are getting to their semi's very quickly if the GF is on in 10 days...

NBL SF's finish Wednesday. You would think NBL GF would run a schedule of Friday, Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday or something very similar.

I would hope they don't go from a Wednesday semi final to a Friday grand final.

But the NBL semis start tonight and could be finished as early as Monday, in which case a GF game on Sunday would hardly be too soon.

Key to Perth I think is similar to Townsville: steal the first game, clinch it in Perth.

Southside, for all their "quiet" protesting their end of season schedule, will have had to only fly away from Melbourne once, an incredible luxury. I think Perth will be to tired at end of season if it goes back to Melbourne.

They do have a cheat code in the form of Aari, so who knows. I at least hope for a good series as bare minimum. Potter v Jackson could also be a huge match up. Russell v Maley on the rebounds.

Depth is on the Flyer's side too, though Puoch as 8th player only getting a couple of minutes mitigates any of that. Petrik will likely try and limit how much time MCH gets matched up against the talls too.

Can't see Puoch being to happy getting hardly any court time the second half of the seasons. I imagine her WNBA prospects aren't as high anymore and she probably expected to be a start at the Flyers all year under Chambers.

She is still number 6 on ESPN's latest mock draft, which is only a few days old.

https://www.codesports.com.au/basketball/wnbl/why-lauren-jackson-must-be-part-of-olympic-gold-medal-bid/news-story/f9e05c842e017d346d80427f4f22e172

I am starting to think that anything that is said by Ms Goat Jackson should be taken with a grain of salt.

What a start from Perth, hitting 3s all quarter. Can't give Atwell any space, over compensate and other shooters are free.

Expecting a SF comeback, they'll probably target Potter more.

I'm enjoying how Southside are choosing to "defend" Atwell so far.
Good start.

This is quite a performance. Best half of shooting in a final series ever? Atwell best 3PT shooter Aus has produced, this is next level.

Leaving Lynx perimeter shooters wide open is a choice I enjoyed immensely that half.

Atwell superb. You don't need to leave her open to be burned by her. Maybe she deserves a few crumbs of the Opals hype that LJ has been receiving.

Amy Atwell needs to go to Paris. Outside LJ, she is in top 5 players in Australia at moment and can fill a specific need in Paris. WNBA training camp contract with Phoenix. I hope she can show Sandy she deserves her spot.

Marley standing up big time. Like she does when she gets her Opals chance. Beast on the boards

Perth are on FIRE.

This is an all-time great performance from the Lynx. They have a clear identity, are well-coached, and supposedly have one of the lowest budgets in the league.

Contrast that to Southside... yikes. Whether or not they win the series, Chambers has a lot to answer for.

My only worry as a Perth fan is that streaky shooting is...well, streaky. They have to make sure they come out and stop a streaky the other way. I wonder if the try to focus on Aari more, use the gravity of Atwell to create room.

No Atwell on floor? No worries, still raining frees from everyone.

Does anyone know what the record is for most made 3s in a wnbl game? :o

Potter almost doing a Cardoso to end the half haha, with way they're shooting why not.

Slower half but didn't let Southside have it all their way, lead is still very healthy.

Atwell is having one for the ages and she is so comfortable and confident in her shot that everyone else is confident in taking threes...

Well done Perth, bit ridiculous that they've had so many top teams in psst but it's this team scraping into finals that finds itself 1-0 up. Sports eh?

Tactical master-class and shooting session. Lynx's shooting:
2P%...39 (15/38)
3P%...57 (22/38)

Potter had one of the best 1pt games I've seen too. She was non stop hustle and kept out of foul trouble, something the GOAT couldn't manage.

Potter played it juat about perfectly, and credit also to the help she got from others. The D held up very well when it mattered.

Too quick for Southside. Atwell scorchin first half...
Chambers will need to make big changes, maybe deny Atwell from actually receiving the ball?


Quokka
Reason Lynx scraped in was because they had no McDonald for half the season, before the injury they were near the top.

JD14
Maley hasn't been great for the opals, probably why she is still on the fringe. Brondello took an underperforming Blicavs, Kunek not available, Atwell didn’t even make the list, nor Bibby or Sharp.
Several other players not even looked at for the Olympic qualifiers.

I'll try and watch this tomorrow but surely it didn’t have to clash with the nbl.

Atwell over Madgen anyday.
Wallace recent performances are also a big worry and swain looked far more promising coming back from injury.

OPALS, Could we see?
Atwell in for Madgen.
Swain in for Wallace.

probably not... unless both thrive with wnba opportunities.

I don't think Atwell in for Masden - Madgen is the captain, a great leader and played very well in Brazil.

I don't think Wallace or Swain will be selected. Melbourne over Wallace.

There will only be 2-3 maximum changes from Brazil, pending LJ as well, but Swain won't be there.

I know Atwell didn't make the list, but she should have and should be well in contention now Weedy Slug.

Maley is terrific player and always been great in her court time for the opals - rebound, hustle and output. Great player.

Yeah will be interesting what adjustments Southside make - as you say, McDonald to fast and Perth basically have the ball down the offensive end before Southside's big's get down the court. I imagine they will try feed the ball to LJ nearly every possession early on in game 2 and see if she can hit the shots.

I think Maley is playing 3on 3 at Olympics.

Foxtel let me down big time - didn't record either the NBL or WNBL games as per my instructions. Missed them both, f**k it!!!

Both freely available on Kayo.

https://kayosports.com.au/fixture/sport!basketball/series-women-s-national-basketball-league!10/fixture-southside-flyers-vs-perth-lynx!43783

Cheers!

I think they'll go their usual team for Olympics. Especially if Blicavs on one foot and no form got selected. Only changes may be Talbot for Borlase and someone in for Jackson (I hope Scherf but they may not choose another big, it was pretty imbalanced squad).

It's post-Paris where they need to look at phasing out a few players, that's where it's good Reid got a good run in Brazil. With her, Melbourne and Wallace the point/combo guard position should be ok. Wings and forwards, who knows.

Assume with Sandy in charge...

Melbourne
Whitcomb
Wallace (*Reid/Heal)
Madgen
Borlase
Talbot
Allen
Blicavs (*Kunek/Atwell)
Smith (*Garbin/Scherf)
Magbegor
George
Tolo

*Possible inclusions.

I'm fairly confident that LJ will get selected.

I don’t think that she’s mobile enough, but her experience, strength around the basket, 3-point shooting and long service to the sport will see her selected, I reckon.

I’d rather see LJ going than Blicavs, based on current form and health.

LJ said she's done...
About the fifth time she has said this since the qualifiers.
Be clear or be gone.

Be clear or be gone.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/basketball/breaks-my-heart-lauren-jackson-wants-support-for-kids-travel-to-paris-in-shock-olympic-comeback-bid-20240308-p5fase.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed



'Australia's greatest basketballer Lauren Jackson has revealed she will seriously consider emerging from retirement to play at the Paris Olympics, provided Basketball Australia delivers financial and practical support to allow her to travel with her two young children.’

Agreed Luc. Like I don't think she's a culture wrecker, certainly helped with it during the WC, but it's just a distraction right now and after a while all the comebacks become a circus. It's also a bit...much how BA rely on her, like it's their only strategy when they think about women's sport is to make everything about LJ.

"Australia's greatest basketballer Lauren Jackson has revealed she will seriously consider emerging from retirement to play at the Paris Olympics, provided Basketball Australia delivers financial and practical support to allow her to travel with her two young children.'

So her selection is conditional on BA paying for her kids and I would imagine kids minders to go to the Olympics.

Highest paid Australian women's basketball player asking for money to represent her country , please.

The article states it's the third time she has retired and come back.

Put all the accolades to the side, hide the drama and hysteria, it's only ever been all about Lauren. Always has been and always will be. Not as retarded as Garbage but in the same context.

It will be interesting to see what changes Chambers makes for her defensive scheme on Thursday. Their man was leaving the weakside open off penetration and the zone had holes.

Conversely it seems Petrik has switched up the zone offence from before Aari was injured. Maley at the top and Potter in the dunkers spot rather than Potter at the top and maley on the wing.

I was surprised how little the Flyers seemed to run for their bigs. You'd think they'd run more given Perth's lack of bigs and the fact that Southside usually shoots the lowest number of threes.

While Perth lack big's, between Maley, Potter, Clinch-Hoycard and Hannan, combined with playing zone, it is not easy for Southside to score in there. They have more height and better defensive players than Melbourne, so the game plan MAY NOT work as easy. Let's see I guess.

GAME DAY BALA GAME DAYYY!!!

So... have Southside got a game 3 push in them? I kinda suspect not, but hope so, coz more basketball.

Nervous too! A big game 2 comeback and I think the series favouritism swings back to Southside going back to Melbourne.

It does seem a bit bad that Perth's strategy seems to be Plan A or Plan A underlined, but it's worked out so far so why not! As Luuc said, just gotta keep getting the same things right.

I can't remember well how the stadium was like last GF series, wonder if they added extra seating, no idea where but a sell out crowd so should be rocking.

When you're on a shoestring budget you don't get to build a roster for plans A, B & C.

Seating chart looked pretty standard when I was watching how sales were going. Will be nice to see the place full again.

At least Aari-ball provides a point of difference to Atwell 3-ball if things go cold.

Do wonder how Southside will play with their bugs v Potter/MCH

Bench Rocci start puoch on Atwell . Got nothing to lose she is long and athletic.

GAME DAY BALA GAME DAYYY!!!

I think those two missed threes by Atwell could sum up the game for Perth. Shootings gone cold, and Southside much better D themselves this game and spreading the floor better. Plenty of elbows flying about too.

Still a chance with Perth's scoring ability to come back.

Perth been crap, to many threes chucked up, lay ups missed. It'll need a complete turnaround.

I don't mind the missed threes as much as all the missed layups!

12 is nothing if we can fix things up this half, but geez we can't afford Flyers to get the first run of momentum now.

Decent third quarter reduction to the deficit.

Even decent-er fourth quarter of almost evening it up.

OMG what an awful sequence of plays, after levelling it up, followed by a dagger.

Buzzer beating dagger too.

O.M.G.

Dam Maley couldn't hit free throws or make a layup in the final few possessions.

Gut wrenching it didn't at least go to OT after all of that momentum.

Should never have lost that, crapped their pants. Free throws and then a lay up.

It feels like somebody hit repeat on the 2022 Grand Final.

Didn't look anything like Perth in the first half.
Another long trip and the home crowd, expect another tight game like tonight.

Wow, what a comeback. Absolutely gutted for Maley at end there. Plenty of positives to take out of that. Southside were the team making their shots, making those dark arts count. Thought Russell had a bad game until that last second swish, absolutely deflated the stadium.

There was 5-6 seconds lost there at about 1:20 which could've been key either way, no idea what that was about. Refs for most part let them play.

The irony of Anneli Maley releasing a podcast episode yesterday titled "how to deal with failure"!

I hope she is ok.

Maley made 4 big mistakes in about 25 seconds.
Hopefully a full house on Sunday. Pity it's not at the SBC.

Funny that I could watch this and never really felt the ref's were pulling for one team over the other, interesting contrast to nbl where it seems for the most part all they do.

Jeez, that clock ran down from 1:24 to 1:11, then they stopped and it went down to 1:09. Whole stadium going crazy, Petrik most worked up I've seen him and refs didn't go check? 15 seconds is nearly a whole shot clock. Bizarre and amateur.

Apologies to Russell, given match MVP. Didn't realise she had so many boards, felt there was a few key plays she turned it over. Perth got it wrong with Ernst leaving her open plenty, bit surprising as Petrik would've coached her? LJ was probably the quietest of their bigs but they combined well and used their advantages well this game.

Bec Cole was essentially Atwell's shadow all game, she must be pleased.

10.30am tipoff for game three means I won't be watching, so that's an extra fun little piece of news to add to what has been a tremendously shitty week.

Southside very lucky to pull that out in the end. They couldn't stop dribble penetration all night and Perth just missed so many good looks which was the difference in the game.

I'm glad there's more basketball, but hope Perth can get up. Feel like we're due a monster LJ game though

"Feel like we're due a monster LJ game though"

Saving her next Monster game until the Masters games on the Gold Coast Nov 2024.

Lynx are favourites for Game 3.

I'm not sure how they stuff that game clock up. The ref's or the scoretable. Amatuer hour

Stunned that there would be any hint of amateur hour in the WNBL!

Reportedly the final score was incorrect by three points in Southside's favor. Something seems to have happened in the first half that either should have led to the Lynx scoring three points that weren't recorded, or which saw Southside given three points they shouldn't have had.

In Southsides favour or Lynx's? I noticed in the broadcast, that Jason guy claimed that Cole’s 3 in the 2nd rimmed out but it rimmed in. He then said that Maley "almost went out of court..." um, she did go out of court Jadon, she had to inbound the ball! Maybe that’s where the mistake occurred?

koberulz - where is this being reported?

WhatFootloose is saying is so true. I remember that as well. It looked likeit went in from broadcast, but maybe not...?

It definitely went in, Jason said it didn't & maybe the clearly incompetent scorebench thought it missed as well

KR If you watch the broadcast Q1 7:25 2pt basket is made but score goes from 6-11 then drops back to 9 Then at 6:57 is adjusted to 8.

Coles 2nd basket definitely dropped.

Clock run on is on the score table, although refs should be observant enough to pick it up and adjust.

I've heard it from multiple people. Wouldn't consider it particularly credible from any of them individually, but that their accounts align is interesting.

The 4th quarter clock stuff-up has been acknowledged by the WNBL.

Score error is news to me. That would be a much bigger deal if it had actually happened (especially considering the Lynx have already been burned by one of those this season) so I'm guessing there's nothing to it.

Where did the WNBL acknowledge this? But then appoint the same 3 referees responsible for game 3. Remarkable

especially considering the Lynx have already been burned by one of those this season

they can't have seriously appointed the same 3 refs?!

When was this?

Bush league.

Can't see anything on their socials about admitting fault. Also very little media coverage in general which is rather frustrating. Most in depth recap I've seen was on Boti's site.

Narrow loss to the Flames in Round 11
https://thewest.com.au/sport/basketball/wnbl-admits-they-signed-off-on-the-wrong-score-for-perth-lynx-during-close-loss-to-sydney-flames-c-13244187

https://thewest.com.au/sport/nbl/wnbl-launch-grand-final-investigation-into-clock-mistake-after-southside-flyers-beat-perth-lynx-on-the-buzzer-c-13959817

I don't understand why they can't do video review. Every single game has cameras pointed at the clocks for the duration of the game, so it would be trivial to sort out clock errors like that.

Even NBL1 had full IRS in place for the playoffs.

Yeah, not sure why common sense can't prevail on such an obvious one. It would have been a quick fix to get the clock correct again.
Even sillier when the head of the league is in the crowd, sees the issue herself in real time, but "doesn't have the authority to force any changes"

I don't think it's a conspiracy, who knows what could've happened but to have the whole stadium pointing it out and then to stop and TAKE seconds off the clock. Just baffling incompetency from whoever the silver-haired Scott Foster impersonator was.

Minutes away from tip-off in the championship decider. GO LYNX!!

Lynx looking super nervous, can't score for 2.5 minutes, then SSF foul Atwell's 3PA. So dumb.

Lynx look very bad.

They look fine to me since Flyers let them off the early hook

Hoping for a Lynx win, but also Dickey to have a good game... she should have been the Southside nomination for 6th player of the year.

Their shot is going in at least, even Potter made a 3 but gee their defence needs to improve. The shots SF are getting compared to how well they're marking and locking down Atwell and MacDonald.

Very similar feel to game 2 so far

3 seconds in the key seems to not exist this season.

Long way back now

Hey Anneli, you can't hit a thing atm. Maybe kick it out if you get an O-board and don't have an easy put-back. Your bricks are killin me.

Nah, she'll just keep shooting without running a proper offence.

Intentional early-clock 3 for Maley? That's a bizarre decision.

15 point lead and Chambers still doesn't trust Puoch....

I wouldn't either tbh

I'm not being nasty to Puoch btw.
But Chambers has spent the season regressing her development. Contrast that to Melbourne & Borlase. Get her out of Southside.

15 points was Southside's biggest lead in game 2...think it's going to a lot harder to claw back this time.

The difference in quality between teams is showing. I'm frustrated of course but a bit perplexed that if this is how Southside can setup to play, particularly on defense, how they got it so wrong in Game 1. Perth doesn't have ability to answer this, need to rely on getting on another streak.

Luuuc 100% agree and sad to see her draft stock reduce in value in what could have been a breakout season for her. Her ceiling is still high, but I think she really does need a new environment and greater opportunity to take her development to the next level.

She's still young so it's not that big a deal, but it really feels like a wasted year for her.
If it costs her some draft spots then that means very little in the scheme of things though. She'll be stashed regardless by her WNBA team.

Did I hear right, squad of 26 named for Opals to be announced at end of month? That's huge, hopefully as many of them can make it to the first camp as possible.

Maley looks cooked after her cowtly missed in game 2. She's making bad decisions and not even crashing the boards.

*costly misses

That's a long list. Chance for BA to get Mitchell, O'Hea, Hodges, Screen back in the squad? :p

Southside are so unlikeable. How can you be so miserable and petulant with one hand on the title, ffs.

Do Jackson, Mitchell, Rocci, Cole, Chambers, Ernst etc EVER stop whinging, whining and complaining?

A blight on our game. They surely turn casual viewers away with their non-stop sooking.

This whole series has been so 2022
:(

Perth have been on the fast track to a 2022 choke repeat since tip off.

Hopefully the extended squad allows players like Amoore, Shelley, Bourne, Sharp, Potter, Nicholson get a look in.

Will Maley complain about the crowd being too mean for her like she did in Townsville last season.


0-9 shooting.. who will she blame?

Ref's need to try and calm this down at 3QT, this could get really ugly.

Do they not use the restricted area rule in the WNBL, because that charge call on MacDonald should've been a blocking foul.

One missed free throw / open layup can be the difference between a GF sweep and a blow-out loss ;(

Nicholson is in Spain finishing the season.

You don't blow a victory like lynx did in game two and recover. Southside are very unlikeable but also very talented. Perth just don’t have a b game when a game is busted.

Haha, LJ commits a clear foul by hitting Atwell across the face and still throws her hands up after the call

Very unlikable but also very experienced. The collective 'wnbl games played' stat was largely ignored this season, but huge disparities across the league.

Feels like this season deserved a better end. Real anticlimax :(

Any other player in the league would probably get a tech for reacting like that. But Jackson isn't any other player...

32 up and still no Puoch LOL

Yeah, why bother clearing the bench and giving them an opportunity...

Congrats to Dandenong Caravans, but I ain't watching this trophy presentation.

On the Opals, I don't think it matters where players are, any camps will be April to June, plenty of time for seasons to finish. The WNBA players will definitely be making final squads, so may not need to go to any camp.

Congrats Flyers, especially Cole & Russell - both great competitors and worthy champs.

Bummer of a game 3. Was always a possibility but it's not ideal for a league showcase title decider.

Still proud as hell of what the Lynx achieved this season overall. We weren't meant to be near the post-season let alone a bucket away from a title. Great group of people and (mostly) a very fun brand of basketball to watch.

Cheryl Chambers will talking about how the team had 3 games in the final round of the season... gee you have just won the whole thing… does that really matter?

Yeah in a league of haves/have nots, being so close to a title is impressive as anything. The team deserves proper investment. Petrik has to fight his 0-2 record now.

Was Cole made GF MVP? One of those players who you want on your team but frustrates when on opposition (and not worst whinger on that team). Her defense on Atwell and consistent shooting helped decide the last two games.

GF MVP is Russell
Cole wouldn't have been a bad choice either I agree

Feel for the Lynx team, players, coaches and everyone who have contributed this season - they will come back. Can they get MacDonald next season?

The word is that the Lynx will be back next season.
Getting Aari back feels unlikely though.

The sponsor on the front of the Lynx singlet own the biggest gold mine in Australia so they should be back and potentially have the same salary budget as the Dandenong Caravans

Took my son to the final after we went to the Flyers Bendigo blow-out, so he's clearly good luck for them!

Good win by Southside.
Chambers atleast changed it up, petrik has no plan b like people have said.

Atwell and Maley looked cooked after just 1 game.
Both will make extended opals squad me thinks but won't make the final team.

Brondello picks?

Melbourne
Whitcomb
Madgen
Borlase
Talbot
Allen
Garbin probably over Smith
Magbegor
George
Tolo
Jackson

Sandy will go with Wallace, Reid, Blicavs or Kunek for the last spot.

Weedy, isn't Jackson retired from international basketball?

If BA comes to the party and allows her family to go to Paris, she'll play

She has made demands that her whole family goes and BA will have to pay for it.
Not sure why she keeps saying she is retiring and then keeps coming back, fourth time. I don't get it...

Surely Earnest should get a look in, been very good in the games I watched. Tall outside shooters are hard to guard. You guys that know a lot more about womens basketball can give your opinions.

Ernst can shoot and that's about it.

You're selling her short Weedy, she can throw a mean elbow.

Plus talk a lot of smack and stare down players half her size.

At least the Titans won won before their losing streak. Getting sick of this.

What's not to like about the Flyers?

What's not to like about the Flyers?