WNBL newcomer Geelong United is aiming high in its debut season, setting its sights firmly on the championship.
Geelong has replaced the defunct Melbourne Boomers and enters an unpredictable league after a huge amount of player movement over the off-season.
It means the title race will be wide open when the season tips off on Wednesday night, with Geelong hosting Townsville Fire in the opener.
“I don’t see why anyone in this league couldn’t (win the championship),” Geelong guard Jaz Shelley said.
“There’s a lot of talented teams and you just never know how it’s going to turn out. But our team’s very confident in our ability and we’re going to try to win as many games as we possibly can.”
Shelley, who spent five years in the US college system, was selected in the WNBA draft by Phoenix Mercury but was cut at the end of pre-season.
The 24-year-old Victorian returns to Geelong, where she played NBL1 in 2019, and lines up in a talent-stacked United back-court under inaugural coach Chris Lucas.
It also features dual-sport star Monique Conti and American import Haley Jones, a 185cm point-guard who was selected by Atlanta Dream at No.6 at last year’s WNBA draft.
“I don’t think many Australian teams have seen a big point-guard like Haley Jones,” Shelley said.
“She can handle it, she can post people up, so it’s super exciting to have her. We haven’t seen much of Mon (Conti) because she’s playing AFLW right now but she’s going to be a little firecracker once she gets here.”
Shelley said there would be no secrets about Geelong’s style of play under Lucas.
“We’re going to play quick, we’re going to play smart and mainly on the defensive end – we’re going to try to hold teams to low scores,” Shelley said.
“We think that our offence can be transitioned by our defence, so we’ll focus on that.”
Townsville scored a narrow win over Geelong (78-72) when the teams met during the HoopsFest pre-season competition.
The season opener will pit Fire recruit Alicia Froling against her twin sister Keely, with the two forwards set for a physical battle.
