FOUR players from the combined two undefeated Victorian teams lead our Draft Central Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Team of the Week for Round 3. In an even split across the eight sides, the Melbourne Boomers and Southside Flyers are the only sides to have multiple players in the 10-player team, with every other team having one player in the side.

The top-of-the-table Boomers enjoyed two wins on the weekend, which saw the likes of Lindsay Allen (24.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steal) standout to make the starting five, joined in the team by teammate, Cayla George who slots onto the bench. For Southside, it was center Mercedes Russell who stood tall again, with a massive performance of 18 points and 11 rebounds to record a double-double. Leilani Mitchell made the team once again, slotting onto the bench with 13 points, five rebounds and seven assists in the Flyers’ win.

Joining Allen in the starting guard spot is Perth Lynx’s Katie-Rae Ebzery who had a massive game on the weekend with 22 points, seven rebounds, 15 assists and a steal in one of the best individual performances of the season to almost drag her team across the line. On the other side was forward, Brianna Turner who impressed for the Lightning with 26 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks, remarkably shooting at 64.7 per cent efficiency from the field. Rounding out the starting five is young gun, Keely Froling who continued her good form to start the season for the Capitals, averaging 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 block in the reigning premiers two losses.

Looking to the bench and Tahlia Tupaea had her best game thus far in 2019/20 for the Sydney Uni Flames, sinking 23 points in the Flames’ first win of the season. George moved into the bench center position after a prominent rebounding game for the Boomers, as Townsville Fire’s Abby Bishop and Bendigo Spirit’s Marte Grays both round out the team after the two forwards impressed over the weekend in their respective team’s losses.

Other players who made the short list but narrowly missed out were Adelaide trio, Lauren Nicholson, Nicole Seekamp and Stephanie Talbot. Bendigo’s Tessa Lavey, Sydney Uni’s Alice Kunek, UC Capitals’ Kelsey Griffin – who missed for the first week this season – Southside’s Sara Blicavs, and Perth’s Lauren Mansfield, all produced strong performances but just fell short.

STARTING FIVE:

G: Katie-Rae Ebzery (PL) – 22 points, 7 rebounds, 15 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 47.1 FG%
G: Lindsay Allen (MB) – 24.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.0 blocks, 51.7 FG%
C: Mercedes Russell (SF) – 18 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 53.3 FG%
F: Brianna Turner (AL) 26 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 64.7 FG%
F: Keely Froling (UC) – 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assist, 0.5 steal, 1.0 blocks, 46.1 FG%

BENCH:

G: Tahlia Tupaea (SU) – 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 53.8 FG%
G: Leilani Mitchell (SF) – 13 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 41.7 FG%
C: Cayla George (MB) – 14.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks, 60.0 FG%
F: Abby Bishop (TF) 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 53.8 FG%
F: Marte Grays (BS) – 22 points, 9 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 72.7 FG%