2016 QBL Womens Season Preview
Brisbane Capitals 2015 Season: Overall Record: 5-12 (Missed Playoffs) Coaching Staff: Rebecca Dudic (HC), Steph Alenka (AC) 2016 Roster In: Amy Lewis, Ashton Eaton, Emma McKenzie, Georgia Champion, Heidi Freeburn, Isabelle Parker, Katherine Hollis, Stacey Howard Out: D’Lesha Lloyd, Skye Rees, Shay Cooney-Williams, Kate Heal, Jerica Lacey, Abigail Marsh, Peri Ewin, Kartya Creet, Natasha Hasse, Olivia Griffin, Emma Kopcikas, Courtney Woods Returning: Mikeala King, Georgia McCarron, Maddi Woodford
The Gist: Complete overhaul of the squad with a new coach as Rebecca Dudic replaces Paul O’Brien and imports Lloyd, Cooney-Williams are gone. Lewis had an impressive season with SEQ Stars (9.5 points and 4.4 rebounds) and should be Brisbane number one option in the offensive end, with strong support from Freeburn, Hollis, Aldred and McKenzie. Freeburn is a significant improvement from Cooney-Williams and anticipate better play in the point guard position. The bench has seen improve with the addition of Eaton and Howard, while I expect considerable improvement from youngsters King and Woodford. With Northside gone, the central group is wide open with Brisbane, Bundaberg and Logan in the running for 2 playoff spots. Brisbane has a deeper team with more scoring option and legitimate height and with better coaching in hand they should have a legitimate chance at playoffs Predictions MVP: Amy Lewis X-Factor: Victoria Aldred Youth Player: Maddi Woodford Best / Worst Case Scenario: Make Semi Final / Miss Playoffs Prediction: 1st in Central Pool, Make Quarter Finals
Bundaberg Bears 2015 Season: Overall Record: 10-7 (Made Semi-Finals, Lost to Rockhampton) Coaching Staff: Darren Roche (HC) 2016 Roster In: Merissa Quick, Emily Cameron, Khaliyah Nagas, Lauren Drabwell, Makayla Mortensen, Mariah Marsh, Rubie Janita Out: Brooklyn Pope, Chesti Poston, Emma Mahady, Monique Stevens, Madison Hart, Caitlin Edgar Returning: Carly Boag, Christina Boag, Kylie Giles, Stephanie Rehbein, Kelli Page, Ash Frampton, Caitlin Clancy, Kierra Wyatt
The Gist: Bundaberg has suffered significant losses during the offseason with imports Brookilyn Pope and Chesti Poston as well as Emma Mahady and Monique Stevens while Carly Boag becomes a restricted player. That mean Bundaberg will field only one import in Merissa Quick, a 190cm centre that averages a double-double in Portugal. It doesn’t help that the majority of newcomers are local juniors. Despite the losses the rest of the squad remains untouched, with the likes of Christina Boag, Giles, Page, Frampton and Clancy. The biggest question is has Bundaberg lost enough talent to get them off the playoffs. The Bears had an unusual deep rotation with 9 players averaging at least 17 minutes per game. Can the likes of Christine Boag, Giles and Clancy improved on their contribution? Will the new Quick be as good or better than Pope? Brisbane and Logan have improved so where does it put Bundaberg in the pecking order? Predictions MVP: Carly Boag X-Factor: Christina Boag Youth Player: Caitlin Clancy Best / Worst Case Scenario: Make Quarter Finals / Miss Playoffs Prediction: 3rd in Central Pool, Miss Playoffs
Cairns Dolphins 2015 Season: Overall Record: 9-8 (Missed Playoffs) Coaching Staff: Mark Worthington (HC) 2016 Roster In: Kristina Baltic, Teyla Evans, Jadah Luki, Jonnae Downing, Kate McNeil, Kiara Sagigi, Malia Sagigi, Sarah Heard, Sarah Mallen, Sarrah Myrteza, Out: Lauren Gruber, Alyssa Colla, Ashley North, Sarah Lindsey, Alinta Banta, Gladys Atkins, Chloe Selin Returning: Rachel Pryor, Jade Kennedy, Louise Saggers, Myra Donkin, Elle Hutchinson, Sarina Falvo The Gist: Managed a massive boost with former Olympian Mark Worthington as the head coach, Cairns have solidified their roster with the return of Pryor, Kennedy, Donkin and Saggers. The Dolphins have signed former Serbian international Kristina Baltic, who spend last season at Albury Wodonga (13.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game). Baltic along with Pryor and Kennedy make for a formidable forward line-up and will have talented Evans to back them up. Donkin should hold the fort in the backup and Cairns is expected to announce get an import guard with Euro Cup experience.
If Cairns was located in the south we would be talking about a possible semi-finalist, problem is that north is so stack in the women’s, they could end up finishing last in their pool. With Gladstone in freefall and Townsville have lost some experience, Cairns have the forwards and the coaching staff to do legitimate damage, whether they have the guards to get them to a playoff position is a different question altogether. Predictions MVP: Kristina Baltic X-Factor: Myra Donkin Youth Player: Teyla Evans Best / Worst Case Scenario: Make Quarter Finals / Miss Playoffs Prediction: 3rd in North Pool, Make Quarter Finals
Gladstone Port City Power 2015 Season: Overall Record: 13-4 (Made Grand Final, Lost to Rockhampton 2-0) Coaching Staff: Ray Cooper (HC) 2016 Roster In: Markel Walker, Hailey Moala, Suskia Patai, Aliah Bernabei, Madeline Dryburgh Out: Tierra Henderson, Samarie Walker, Jessica Bygate, Natalie Taylor, Belinda Bailey, Kate Willey Returning: Maddy Willey, Laken Patai, Abby Dahl, Kiah Guinea
The Gist: 2015 QBL Grand Finalist have seen massive changes with only Mellars and Willey the only main players remaining from last year. Both import (Henderson and Walker) are gone as are Kiwi internationals Taylor and Bygate. Power have added Markel Walker who most recently played in Puerto Rico (14.1 points and 12.9 rebounds per game) and should be a strong addition for the Power. They also added Moloa (Mellars and Taylor sister) into the team and they are also adding a second import. Losing a lot of the depth will hurt their chances for playoffs let alone making another championship run. Could get a lot worse if Moala spends extended time with the Tall Ferns. While they would have two good imports, Willey, Moala and Mellars as a good starting line-up they have limited resources in the bench, which won’t help facing northern teams.
Predictions MVP: Markel Walker X-Factor: Import #2 Youth Player: Abby Dahl Best / Worst Case Scenario: Make Semi Finals / Miss Playoffs Prediction: 4th in North Pool, Miss Playoffs
Gold Coast Rollers 2015 Season: Overall Record: 6-11 (Made Quarter Finals, Lost to Bundaberg) Coaching Staff: Megan Thompson (HC) 2016 Roster In: Nadeen Payne, Belinda Bailey, Diana Neves , Katie Rose, Georgie Rankin, Logan Marks, Paris Sheck Out: Emma McKenzie, Kelli Hayward, Kate Webb, Kimberley Brown, Jeanie Pattison, Sarah Glazebrook, Tara Maxwell Returning: Biancia Abbott, Brianna Moyes, Cassie Dover, Courtney Peate, Shanelle Tolley
The Gist: Adding ayne is a major coup for the Gold Coast Rollers who is replacing McKenzie. Payne had an impressive season for SEQ Stars and should give Gold Coast an added proven scorer and rebounder to compliment veterans Abbott and Moyes. Add to the frame experience in the form Rose and Neves and u have a team that could make some noise in the playoff. Neves and Payne should be a bonus give their overall lack of three-point shooting. I like their squad they have enough talent to make a suprise or two. Predictions MVP: Nadeen Payne X-Factor: Diana Neves Best / Worst Case Scenario: Make Semi Finals / Make Quarter Finals Prediction: 2nd in South Pool, Make Semi Finals
Ipswich Force 2015 Season: Overall Record:12-5 (Made Semi Finals, Lost to Gladstone) Coaching Staff: Brad George (HC) 2016 Roster In: Shenneika Smith, Soana Lucet, Ashleigh Heal, Shyla Heal, Kate Heal, Mikayla Heuston, Iris Cubit, Jada Schultz, Neferatali Notoa, Stephanie Chettle , Grace Hughes, Charlie Kehne Out: Chelsie Schweers, Brandi Brown, Sarah Davis, Meg Essex, Peta Eddington, Kimberley Janz, Taylah Timperley Returning: Bree Farley, Morgan Pink, Kate Head, Cambridge McCormick, Marney George, Brooklyn Betham
The Gist: Ipswich has been amoungst the top teams in the league in recent years and although they have lost the reigning MVP in Schweers and Brown, they have added some quality imports in Smith and Soana Lucet. Smith is a former WNBA draft pick with a distinguished career at St. Johns University while she had captained the Jamaica national team. Lucet is a New Caledonian big has had impressive performance in the German league and EuroCup.
Retaining Bree Farley is a bonus and they had added ultra-talented Shyla Heal and her sister Ashleigh from divisional rivals South West as well as Kate Heal and former junior standout Heuston. Lucet is an upgrade over Brown who struggled in her second season, while Smith has the pedigree to produce better than Schweers. If both imports play to their abilities I can’t see why not Ipswich returns back to the semi-finals Predictions MVP: Soana Lucet X-Factor: Shenneika Smith Youth Player: Shyla Heal Best / Worst Case Scenario: Make Grand Final / Make Quarter Finals Prediction: 1st in South Pool, Make Semi Finals
Logan Thunder 2015 Season: Overall Record: 9-8 (Missed Playoffs) Coaching Staff: Jason Chainey (HC) 2016 Roster In: Kate Gaze, Skye Rees, Cassie Smith, Ajiah Pepe, Caitlin Forrester, Hazel Fui, Miela Goodchild Out: Alyssa Horn, Sidney Parsons, Heidi Freeburn, Jessica Wallis, Annaliese Stoyko Returning: Mikhaela Donnelly, Alice Honnery. Bridget O’Brien, Courtney Taylor, Jessica Taylor, Jayden Fuiava, Jessica Kirisome, Sarah Ambrose, Ula Motuga, Carleigh Patrick
The Gist: Logan is heading into a different direction, ditching their imports for proven local players. Skye Rees makes the switch from pool rivals Brisbane, while Smith comes to the Thunder with a vast experience of QBL and SEABL championships. Gaze is the key here, a player that can dominate the scoring and that stud scorer that Logan has been missing. They have a number of quality local juniors at the disposal.
With Northside gone and Bundaberg on the slide, Logan should be in the prime position to take a playoff spot. It all come to team chemistry and coaching. Jason Chainey has WNBL coaching experience and you could excuse him for missing the playoffs last year, another missed playoff wouldn’t bode well with management. Predictions MVP: Kate Gaze X-Factor: Mikhaela Donnelly / Skye Rees Youth Player: Bridget O’Brien Best / Worst Case Scenario: Make Semi Finals / Miss Playoffs Prediction: 2nd in Central Pool, Make Quarter Finals
Mackay Meteorettes 2015 Season: Overall Record:12-5 (Made Quarter Finals, Lost to Gladstone ) Coaching Staff: Mick Virgo (HC) 2016 Roster In: Deanna Weaver, Jacqui Zelenka, Shayna Milburn, Sara Storeshaw, Jasmyn Blucher, Courtney Virgo, Madison McDonald Out: Kayla Standish, Fiona McGrath, Naomi Cedar, Vanessa Micallef, Danielle Fair, Returning: Rachael Allison, Tami Wiley, Rylie Smith, Jillian Haughton, Kayla Ward, Kelsey McDermott
The Gist: Had a bad start to 2015 season and never quite recovered from it, bowing out in the quarter finals. There are some significant changes to the roster with Kayla Standish gone and veteran big McGrath retiring after an illustrious career in QBL. Deanna Weaver is a quality import that dominated in Finland’s first division, and from first accounts she is as good as advertised. Allison and Wiley returns as does Zelenka who spend last year at Townsville. Along with Rockhampton they look the odds on favourites for the QBL championship Predictions MVP: Deanna Weaver X-Factor: Rachel Allison Youth Player: Kelsey McDermott Best / Worst Case Scenario: QBL Champions / Make Semi Final Prediction: 2nd in the North Pool, Make QBL Grand Final
Rockhampton Cyclones 2015 Season: Overall Record: 14-3 (QBL Champions) Coaching Staff: Chris Muggeridge (HC), Paul Christensen (AC), Gayle Lorraway (AC) 2016 Roster In: Shanavia Dowdell, Gabriella Clayton, Ellie Nasser, Jessica Lorraway, Katelyn Lynch, Sarai Power, Talayah O’Meara Out: Nicole Michaels, Amee Brown, Returning: Rebecca Haynes, Sam Norwood, Alex Brady, Katrina Clifford, Briana Bailey, Chloe Morrow, Tai Wakelin-Gray, Shannan Muggeridge, Anna Dyer, Sarah Anderson,
The Gist: There is a saying, winning a championship is easy, repeating is harder. Cyclones won their maiden QBL championship in 2015 and the good thing for Rockhampton is that they have improved their roster with the return of former WNBL and QBL star Dowdell. Dowdell is an upgrade from Michaels; they have strengthened their bench with the addition of Clayton. Mackay and co. have improve their rosters, however with Jones still leading the pack with support from veterans Haynes and Norwood as well as local Brady, Rockhampton look in a strong position to repeat. Predictions MVP: Chandra Jones X-Factor: Rebecca Haynes Youth Player: Chloe Morrow Best / Worst Case Scenario: QBL Champions / Make Semi-Finals Prediction: 1st in North Pool, QBL Champions
South West Metro Pirates 2015 Season: Overall Record: 5-12 (Missed Playoffs) Coaching Staff: Fiona Hannah (HC), Nikki Bairstow(AC) 2016 Roster In: Sidney Parsons, Emma Glenn, Abi Marsh Jerica Lacey, Jamieson McMullan, Telesia Manamaleuga, Ashlee Hannan, Maggie Pitt Out: Kaitlin McBride, Ashleigh Heal (Ipswich), Shyla Heal (Ipswich), Sammi Deakin-Sharpe, Christina Sekona, Zitina Aokuso, Olivia Thomas, Samantha Pollock Returning: Erica Carlson, Renee Teys, Charlie Keimann, Celeste Williams, Shandon Monique-Osborne, Chelsea Spring
The Gist: South West is going to have a tough season. They have a new coaching combination (Fiona Hannan and Nikki Bairstow) and Parsons joins Carlson as their import combination. Despite that have lost a lot of the quality youngsters like Ashleigh and Shyla Heal, Deakin-Sharpe and Aokuso. They got several players for other associations (Glenn, Marsh and Lacey) but the team will depend heavily on Carlson and Parsons to produce. Predictions MVP: Erica Carlson X-Factor: Renee Teys Youth Player: Jamieson McMullan Best / Worst Case Scenario: Miss Playoffs Prediction: 3rd in South Pool, Miss Playoffs
Sunshine Coast Phoenix 2015 Season: Overall Record: 2-15* (Missed Playoffs) Coaching Staff: Greg Kent (HC)
*as Suncoast Clippers 2016 Roster In: Kierra Mallard, Katarina Flasarova, Keri Leigh Porter, Natalie Saunders, Jacqueline Frazer, Emma Menzie, Holly Perry, Ariel Withnall, Dustie Obah, Taylah Howard, D’Arcy Draper, Taylor Thomas, Out: Natalie Hurst, Kenosha Wright, Diana Neves, Paige Estorffe, Destiny Obah, Courtney Murphy, Emily Johnson, Ashley Wallis, Kelsey Johnson, Danina Johnson, Lydia Watson, Returning: Ishoa-Jade Cook, Jennifer Carden-David, Melanie Bateman, Megan Ditchburn
The Gist: While Hurst and Wright didn’t work out for the Clippers, there is hope that Mallard and Flasarova will have better luck in 2016. Mallard is a quality big that has performed greatly in the German first division (16.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game). Flasarova is a Czech guard that has had strong performances in the German second division (14.1 points per game). They have also added a couple of veterans in Keri Leigh Porter and Natalie Saunders as well as youngsters Draper and Howard. Even with additions, the fact is they have struggled in recent years. While they won’t be able to compete against the top tier teams in this league, if Mallard and Flasarova play within the ability they could get some wins. Predictions MVP: Kierra Mallard X-Factor: Katarina Flasarova Youth Player: D’Arcy Draper Best / Worst Case Scenario: Miss Playoffs Prediction: 4th in Central Pool, Miss Playoffs
Sunshine Coast Rip 2015 Season: N/A (Team Inaugural Season in League) Coaching Staff: Michael Van Dongen (HC) 2016 Roster In: Ondrea Shaw, Ashleigh Whitehouse, Belle Dawes, Camryn Hughes, Courtney Hagen, Francis Donders, Hannah Beede, Kristen Langhorn, Madeline Campbell, Paige Estroffe, Taisha White, Zoe Campbell
The Gist: QBL newest team is making its inaugural debut in 2016. Former Dutch international Donders (last played in Belarussian league – 7.4 points per game) is a solid pickup for the Rip. While Shaw could have the potential to be a defensive star, being foul prone and limited offensively is going to hurt. The rest of the squad is inexperienced with Beede the only one that has contributed in a QBL team. Building a team and more importantly a winning culture take time, and expect things to get a lot worse before they get a lot better. Tough season ahead. Predictions MVP: Francis Donders X-Factor: Ondrea Shaw Youth Player: Hannah Beede Best / Worst Case Scenario: Miss Playoffs Prediction: 5th in Central Pool, Miss Playoffs
Toowoomba Mountaineers 2015 Season: Overall Record: (Missed Playoffs) Coaching Staff: Harry Spencer (HC) 2016 Roster In: Estela Royo Torres, Beatriz Royo Torres, Meg Essex, Hannah Lennan, Emily Derksen Out: Kisha Lee, Janelle Adams, Breanna Leland, Briana Tyers, Meg Sullivan, Erin Seymour Returning: Chelsea Orbell, Despena Dickerson, Elise Craig, Kimberley Wilson, Tracey Russell, Vanessa Horne
The Gist: Major changes with Toowoomba with mainstays Kisha Lee and Janelle Adams gone to SEABL. Enter the Spanish Armada of sisters Estela and Beatriz Royo Torres. Beatriz is an undersized forward that is a legitimate rebounder and defender (14.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and a league leading 2.9 steals) for Sevenoaks Suns in the WBBL. Estella plays in Spain for Gran Canaria (11.5 points per game). Been told that Essex is likely to join Toowoomba mid-season and she should have a huge impact on the Mountaineers who struggle with getting local talent. Expect one of out Lennan, Orbell or Dickerson to have a breakout season. Having hit rock bottom in 2015, win will be hard to get. As long as improvement to the local talent happens along with a couple of wins, I will call it a good season. Predictions MVP: Estella Royo Torres X-Factor: Meg Essex Youth Player: Despena Dickerson Best / Worst Case Scenario: Miss Playoffs Prediction: 4th in South Pool, Miss Playoffs
Townsville Flames 2015 Season: Overall Record: 12-5 (Missed Playoffs, Editor’s Note: Not a typo!) Coaching Staff: Brady Walmsley (HC) 2016 Roster In: Natalie Novosel, Chevannah Paalvast, Tiarna Woods, Alicia Ford, Majella Carey, Sheridan Reichord. Cassia McCaskill, Aleisha Ennis Out: Simone Page, Cherie Gallagher, Michaela Cocks, Jacqui Zelenka, Aroon Edgar, Lisa Brennan, Emma Nakamura Returning: Anna Mackay, Ainsley Walsh, Sarah Hesp, Letitia Hustler, Haylee Andrews. Majella Carey, Sigourney Thompson, Bianca Johnson Undetermined: Mia Murray
The Gist: Welcome to the league that a team with a 12-5 record can’t even get you to the postseason. Townsville are doing to best to make sure that won’t happen this year with the inclusion of Townsville Fire players Novosel and Paalvast. Brady Walmsley did a great job as a rookie coach. Problem is that Townsville have lost a lot of their veteran role players, and depth isn’t as strong as last year. Add that Cairns has gotten a lot better and Gladstone will still be competitive. The key is Mia Murray. Murray is still undetermined whether she will play during the QBL this season if she does they should be playoff material, they don’t they could end up in the bottom of the pool. That is how competitive the north is. Predictions MVP: Natalie Novosel X-Factor: Mia Murray Youth Player: Tiarna Woods Best / Worst Case Scenario: Make Quarter Finals / Miss Playoffs Prediction: 5th in North pool, Miss Playoffs BE Predictions QBL Champions: Rockhampton QBL Most Valuable Player: Chandrea Jones QBL Coach of the Year: Mark Worthington QBL Youth Player of the Year: Meg Essex
