THE 2025/26 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Grand Final series began last night, and it was Townsville Fire who took a 1-0 lead by defeating Perth Lynx by nine points in the opener up north.

The Fire hosted the Lynx at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on Thursday night, kicking off an anticipated decider. The two teams have enjoyed semi-final battles over the past three years, which have all led to a Grand Final encounter, having been the best two sides in the competition throughout the home and away fixture.

The Fire were simply too good for the visiting side in the first game of the series, claiming the win in what was a seriously see-sawing affair in Queensland, and Townsville will now have the chance to win it all in game two.

Townsville Fire (88) def. Perth Lynx (79)

The two teams could not be separated for most of the match, with there being a whopping 27 lead changes throughout the contest to truly show how even the battle was. Neither side could truly break away in the first half, and at the main break, it was Perth holding a three-point lead and giving itself the best chance of a win in enemy territory.

However, the third quarter belonged to the Fire, who ignited the crowd with a purple patch to break the game open and not only take the lead, but give themselves some breathing space as well. It was an effort sparked by captain Courtney Woods, who was everywhere for her side in an inspirational quarter from an individual and team standpoint.

Heading into the final frame, Townsville’s deficit had been transformed into an 11-point buffer, and although the Lynx were able to steady in the last 10 minutes, they simply could not make up enough ground in the fourth quarter, eventually suffering a nine-point loss and heading back to Western Australia in a must-win scenario.

The Fire were dominant in the paint, and that level of excellence in the low block proved the difference. Despite the Lynx boasting some towering players in the frontcourt, Townsville was better at scoring in the paint and pulling down offensive rebounds.

Woods was immense within the context of the match, finishing the game with 22 points, six rebounds and three steals in what was the definition of a captain’s performance. She had some strong help from teammate Miela Sowah, who was terrific against her former side with 20 points of her own.

The Lynx were well-served by their own captain in Amy Atwell, who fought hard with 19 points, and had some timely makes to keep her side in the fight, while Han Xu still made her presence known with 16 points and a pair of blocks.

The series moves to Perth on Sunday afternoon, where either the Lynx will force a game three, or the Fire will lift the trophy as winners of the 2025/26 WNBL season.