Report Card: Grading the WNBL's top 4 teams

• The Bendigo Spirit won the WNBL championship, sweeping the Townsville Fire 2-0 in the finals series
• Townsville reached the grand finals series for the second time in three seasons
• The Sydney Flames overcame an injury-riddled season to scrape into the playoffs

The 2024/25 WNBL season was one to remember, especially for the Bendigo Spirit, who were crowned Champions after a stellar season from start to finish. While the Spirit were on another level for much of the season, the three other teams that qualified for finals all enjoyed strong campaigns and battled through various challenges to reach the playoffs.

So, it’s time to grade the seasons of the top four teams, after already highlighting the bottom four last month.

BENDIGO SPIRIT

Champions - 18 wins, 3 losses in the regular season, 4-0 in the playoffs.

Grade: A+

It really doesn’t get any better. The Spirit were the best team all season and boasted the best player all season, as Sami Whitcomb led Bendigo to the promise land. For how impressive their regular season was, going undefeated through the post-season really solidified their place among the best WNBL teams in recent times.

From game one, you could tell Bendigo had the pieces, and perhaps just as importantly, the personalities that would make them a special team. Whitcomb was the focal point of the offence but import Veronica Burton always stood up when needed, while Marianna Tolo, Kelsey Griffin and Kelly Wilson (who all won their fifth WNBL championship each) were the perfect trio to play alongside one another.

Abbey Wehrung was a deserving Sixth Woman of the Year winner and the way she shot the three-ball and defended was a game-changer for the Spirit, while Casey Samuels was massive early in the season when Griffin was sidelined with injury.

Everyone knew their role and shone alongside one another. Coach Kennedy Kereama did a fantastic job bringing everyone together and the defensive focus of the Spirit was there for all to see. When it mattered most, the Spirit were able to grind out two hard-fought, low-scoring wins against the Fire in the Grand Final.

It couldn’t have gone much better for the Spirit and their fans!

TOWNSVILLE FIRE

Runners-up – 15 wins, 6 losses in the regular season, 2-2 in the playoffs.

Grade: A

What a season it was the Townsville Fire and I would’ve loved to give them an A+ but getting swept in the Grand Final made that impossible. The Fire continue to be a benchmark in the WNBL and the way they’re able to rebuild year after year is a credit to the entire organisation, led by five-time Coach of the Year winner Shannon Seebohm.

Courtney Woods was the only regular rotation player to return to the Fire this season and recruiting some great Australian talent in Abbey Ellis, Alicia Froling and Alex Fowler set the tone for what would be an exciting and hard-working squad.

Ellis’ first season out of college was exceptional. She was named the Breakout Player of the Year and the way she came up clutch in many situations while remaining one of the best perimeter defenders in the league highlights the type of player she could become.

While the Fire missed on two import signings with Jacy Sheldon and Zia Cooke not working out, they couldn’t have wished for any more from Defensive Player of the Year winner Lauren Cox, who has already re-signed for next season, and signing Nia Coffey halfway through the season played a major role in the Fire sweeping Perth in the semi-finals.

The season that Woods put together was so much fun to watch. Seebohm really unleashed Woods this season, handing her more responsibility than ever and it’s fair to say she repaid his faith in spades by earning WNBL First-Team honours.

Ultimately, it was defence that led Townsville all the way to the Grand Final series but they were unable to make inroads against Bendigo’s own stifling defence, highlighted by scoring just 60 and 55 points in each of the Grand Final games. It’s always going to be hard to defend totals that low.

PERTH LYNX

Third – 16 wins, 5 losses in the regular season, 0-2 in the playoffs.

Grade: B

Much like Townsville, I would’ve loved to give Perth a higher grade but getting swept after earning home court advantage for the semi-final series was a bitter pill to swallow.

Perth’s high-octane offence led them to a second-placed finish after regular season play but when they faced Townsville in the semi-finals, they were unable to slow down the Fire’s offensive weapons as Townsville piled on 92 and 106 points against Perth in their two semi-final games.

Despite the disappointment of the post-season, Perth’s regular season was special. They were a complete team with stars across the board. The continued rise of Ally Wilson has been amazing to watch and getting recognised for First-Team honours was extremely well deserved for a player that has solidified herself as one of the best guards in the league.

Import Laeticia Amihere was the perfect signing for the Lynx with her athletic ability slotting in perfectly alongside a fast-paced squad. Miela Sowah’s season was another huge step forward, as she really announced herself as a consistent offensive threat and one of Perth’s best players all season. Former league MVP Anneli Maley enjoyed another strong season and has been rewarded by recently signing a training camp contract with the Los Angeles Sparks.

An injury-riddled season for Amy Atwell was disappointing for everyone because we all know what she brings to the table when fit and firing. Here’s hoping she can get back to full health and torch opponents from long range next season.

Overall, Perth’s regular season showed they were capable of greatness but teams are judged on their postseason play and unfortunately for the Lynx, they couldn’t get the job done.

SYDNEY FLAMES

Fourth – 8 wins, 13 losses in the regular season, 0-2 in the playoffs.

Grade: B

It was a monumental effort for the Flames to make the postseason after suffering through an injury-riddled season like few other teams ever have.

Before the season even started, import Didi Richards was set to return to Sydney for her second season with the Flames but injury ended her season before it got underway. The Flames also lost star guard Lauren Nicholson, who sat out the season due to pregnancy.

As if that wasn’t enough, key starters Mikaela Ruef and Emma Clarke played just 16 games between them. Then in the final stretch of the season, import Celeste Taylor, who had been a major piece on both ends of the court all season, was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Those five alone; Taylor, Richards, Nicholson, Clarke and Ruef, would be a very legitimate starting five in the WNBL. That is the type of talent that the Flames missed, but still, they pushed through to make the postseason after two key wins against the Capitals in the final rounds of the season.

In the early stages of game one in their semi-final series against Bendigo, when the Flames needed all hands on deck, superstar guard Shaneice Swain suffered a knee injury, which ruled her out of the remainder of the series. On top of that, Cayla George was clearly playing through pain against Bendigo after sitting out the final two games of the regular season.

With all of that in mind, you really just have to respect and admire the fight and determination from the Flames this season and they are building a culture and identity with coach Guy Molloy leading the way.

Swain’s season was one to remember and the way her game has continued to develop in recent years all points her being a key to the Opals in the years to come. Keep an eye out for Swain when the WNBA tips-off in May, as she will be heading over for her rookie season with the Sparks.

With all of the injuries and interruptions, players who otherwise would’ve had much smaller roles on the team had to stand up and they absolutely did. Bonnie Deas, who is still just 18-years-old and has committed to the University of Arkansas, played major minutes all season and showed maturity beyond her years.

The seasons of Carla Pitman and Isabella Bracatisiano were also vital to the Flames making the postseason as they gave plenty on both ends of the court.