THE Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) is getting extremely close to commencing its 2023/24 season, with the opener set to take place on November 1.

Last season, there was plenty of excitement as locals and imports alike fired for each of the eight teams, with a plethora of highlights gathering plenty of attention to one of the fastest growing women’s basketball competitions in the world.

The Townsville Fire won their last 16 games of the season (including finals), and claimed the ultimate prize in a dominant finish to their campaign. They will now become the hunted as seven other sides look to prevent them from going back to back.

There were plenty of player movements over the off-season too, as sides load up with a mixture of homegrown and international talent for the upcoming fixture, changing the landscape of the competition.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be placing each side under the microscope, taking a look how all eight sides are faring in the build up to the season.

Closing out the teams for the week are the Melbourne Boomers, who look primed to be one of the championship contenders this WNBL season.

Melbourne Boomers

2022/23 record – 15 wins, six losses

The Boomers fell short last season, unable to trump a red-hot Fire team, but have made some eye-catching moves over the off-season to shoot back into contention.

Players

Aimie Rocci, Jantel Lavander, Jordin Canada, Keely Froling, Kristy Wallace, Monique Conti, Penina Davidson, Sara Blicavs, Taylah Simmons, Tera Reed

The Boomers made their intentions clear with an aggressive off-season, intent on building a roster that can take down a dominant Townsville side that brought them undone last time around.

The addition of Froling and Blicavs makes them a tough team to match up on. Froling’s presence in the frontcourt will be massive in the club’s title aspirations. Her ability to pull down a rebound and completely own the paint will add another dimension to a Melbourne side that has not always thrived in this domain. In the battle on the glass, the Boomers will have a huge advantage.

Blicavs is an established star in the WNBL, and joins the team after a decorated career at this level. Melbourne knows what to expect from her at the small forward position, and is better having her in the team.

Canada will combine with Wallace in the backcourt and bring some real pace in setting up the team’s offence. With the amount of scoring weapons in the likely starting lineup, this duo will conjure plenty of good looks throughout the season.

The Boomers are one of the biggest contenders this season, and appear one of the most likely to potentially knock off the Fire.