THE 2021 Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) returns on December 4, meaning it is time for our season previews to begin. Today is the Southside Flyers, who are the reigning championship holders

Southside Flyers

2020 Finish: 1st

Recruits: Abby Bishop, Maddison Rocci, Chelsea D’Angelo, Emilee Harmon, Kate Gaze, Taylah Simmons

Squad list:         
Abby Bishop
Aimie Clydesdale
Chelsea D’Angelo
Emilee Harmon
Jenna O’Hea
Kate Gaze
Kristy Wallace
Maddison Rocci
Rachel Jarry
Rebecca Cole
Sara Blicavs
Saraid Taylor
Taylah Giliam
Taylah Simmons

Southside Flyers are the team everyone is chasing this season, after they won the 2020 WNBL title. It was a breakthrough year for the Flyers in just their second season, with some big names entering the league, in what became a stacked outfit for the south-east Victorian side.

Although they’ve recruited experienced star Abby Bishop who returns to the league, they have lost some key players during the offseason. She joins fellow experienced heads Jenna O’Hea and Sara Blicavs for the 2021/22 WNBL season.

Liz Cambage and Monique Conti are both not returning, while Leilani Mitchell has gone to the Bendigo Spirit. Stephanie Blicavs is also expecting her second child next year. It means the Flyers will look to some young guns who are hoping to step up next season.

Among those are Chelsea D’Angelo and recently internationally-capped Maddison Rocci. Rocci was a rising star with UC Capitals, and her form earned her an Opals spot. Now set to roll into the point guard spot with the Flyers, she will team up well with sister-in-law Aimie Clydesdale.

Southside Flyers have been able to have a number of practice matches over the last few weeks in the lead-up to the opening match against Bendigo Spirit on December 4. Though they might have lost a number of stars from last season, the Flyers have brought on plenty of talented fresh faces to replace them.