WEEK 2 of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Free Agency period has kick-started with a bang, as it was announced Monday morning that former Melbourne Boomers captain, Tess Madgen, is set to return to her former club for the WNBL 2020/21 season. Furthermore, Draft Central can confirm the contract details of the Bendigo’s signees so far during the offseason.

Melbourne adds a former captain to the 2021 squad

Australian Opal, Tess Madgen, who is coming off a solid second season with the Townsville Fire, averaged respectable numbers across the board for Shannon Seebohm’s side throughout all 21 games.

Putting up 12.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists each time out on the floor for the Fire, Madgen proved herself to be one of the leading all-around forces in Australia’s top flight. She would also prove to be one of Townsville’s most reliable scorers too, as she also maintained a 39.5 per cent clip from the field.

Following Melbourne’s announcement that their former leader would be making the move down south to cooler climates, Madgen praised the club as a whole, speaking highly of the Boomers’ organisation from top to bottom.

“I am super excited to be back playing for the Boomers,” said Madgen.

“From the board, the employees, the coaching staff to the playing group it is obvious to see there is a great culture and vibe and I am really looking forward to being part of that again, it feels like a homecoming for me.”

“The club has a great history, being the longest running female professional sports team in Australia and that says a lot about it as a club.

“I am excited to build on a great season the Boomers had last year and can’t wait to get to work with the girls,” she added.

Madgen, who spent time with the Phoenix Mercury (USA) and AZS UMCS Lublin (Poland), has shown nothing but improvement since recovering from an old anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and will look to be a prominent leader in Guy Molloy’s squad next season.

The move comes just days after current captain, Maddie Garrick announced that she too would sign the dotted line for Melbourne’s 2020/21 season.

Bendigo’s signings details

While Carley Ernst and coach Tracy York enter the second year of their respective contracts, the Bendigo Spirit’s administration has told Draft Central that their signings Demi Skinner, Tessa Lavey and Cassidy McLean have all agreed on one-year contracts for the 2020/21 season during the free-agency period.