Hopefully Alex Sharp can get a look as there are a number of players in the squad with injury. She is 7th in the league for avg ppg and 3rd for rpg.

I have been told that's it there are no changes , which means that Kunkek is a definite out , Talbot is still rehabbing a ACL , not sure when she is due back , Wallace still has not played since the last WNBA season and Jackson who knows .

How is Kunek a definite out if her name is on the list?

I imagine the squad was picked before Sunday's game. Until there is an official announcement re her status, I can see why they have kept her in. A bit narrow to not be able to add an additional player when the extent of her injury comes out. From witnessing it and her reaction live, I don’t think she will be playing for a while.

Jackson again... after calling it quits. Surprised we don't see Cambage or Mitchell back on the list.


Likely squad will not change that much under the same coaching staff.

Whitcomb/Wallace/Sandy has favoured Heal over Melbourne/Rocci/Reid in the past
Talbot/Madgen / Borlase camp exp
Allen/Blicavs/Kunek probably favoured over Maley
Magbegor/Garbin
Tolo/George/Jackson / Aokuso camp exp


Some story about why Jackson was selected over Smith to compete with cardoso, Soares, Sabally sisters, stankovic etc

^*Kunek/Maley both out

has Maley ruled herself out? And, no Nicholson? Surely Jackson does not make it??

Weedy Slug
A few hours ago

Whitcomb/Wallace/Sandy has favoured Heal over Melbourne/Rocci/Reid in the past
Talbot/Madgen / Borlase camp exp
Allen/Blicavs/Kunek probably favoured over Maley
Magbegor/Garbin
Tolo/George/Jackson / Aokuso camp exp


Blicavs or Kunek over Magbegor and/or Smith? Surely not!
I reckon they need Melbourne, as she's more of a true PG than Wallace or Heal in terms of actually running an offense (and it's painful to watch when they play Madgen as PG- she's not a PG!)

Nicholson snub?

To make it clear
Favoured under Sandy.

PG Whitcomb
SG Talbot
SF Allen
PF Magbegor
C Tolo
+
PG Wallace
SG Madgen
SF Blicavs
PF Garbin
C George
+
PG Heal
C Jackson


Less favoured by Sandy over her history as coach.
Reid
Rocci
Melbourne
Maley
Kunek
Smith
Aokuso
Borlase - new


Recent history you would think Smith should be a lock over Jackson.
Rocci and Reid have only played in the smaller fiba tournaments so far.
Kunek has been great in the small tournaments but Blicavs has been the go to for majors
Maley least amount of minutes, 12th women by minutes played when selected.
Melbourne possibly for Heal but unlikely to displace captain Madgen.
Borlase 'too young, more exp'
Aokuso only coming in if injury


Personally

PG Melbourne
SG Talbot
SF Allen
PF Magbegor
C Tolo
+
PG Wallace
SG Whitcomb
SF Blicavs
PF Smith
C George
+
PG/SG Heal
SF/PF Maley

Reserves
PG Rocci
PG Reid
SG Swain should be here too.
SG Borlase
SG Madgen
SF Kunek - likely out regardless with her injury.
PF Garbin
C Aokuso
C Jackson

Not sure where Madgen fits into the team... not a PG, not a shooter, and to slow to defend... So because she was captain 12 months ago, she gets an automatic selection on her 2 games of WNBL?
Although i should have released that we selected basketball teams in Australia on reputation and NOT on form.

Think Weedy got the squad right in your personal team.

Madgen is a shooter

Melbourne's form and output combined with age and WNBA experience surely had to get her a ticket to Paris. She has been amazing.

Who will sandy cut though for her?

Heal

Right now based on form

Rebecca Allen === > Yes
Zitina Aokuso =====> Yes
Sara Blicavs ====== > Yes
Isobel Borlase ========= > Yes
Darcee Garbin =========== > Yes
Cayla George =========> No
Shyla Heal =============> no
*Lauren Jackson ==============> . NO
*Alice Kunek ==========> No
Tess Madgen ============> No
Ezi Magbegor ============> Yes
Anneli Maley =============> YES
Jade Melbourne ============> YES
Stephanie Reid =============> YES
Maddison Rocci ============> NO
Alanna Smith =============> YES
*Stephanie Talbot =============> NO
Marianna Tolo ==============> YES
*Kristy Wallace ================> NO
Samantha Whitcomb ===============> YES

Cant see Sandy and co dropping the captain and the legend of Jackson gives her a free pass. The average punter would not understand dropping her...
BA would also have some say to draw attention to the qualifiers and the Olympics.

I hope that Loz goes out on the high of her last campaign and makes herself unavailable, rather than risk staying on too long

I like Cosmo's squad

Agree with Weedy's assessment and it's supported by LJ's GOAT performance recently against Sydney, that won the game for the Flyers.

Also, Madgen has shown in recent games that it would be hard to strip her of the captaincy when her leadership has clearly contributed to the Flames form and their evolving into a team. George being rewarded with selection is understandable since she's found ways to facilitate other scorers and toughen her defence, during a time when her shots weren't dropping.

I think Zitina missing out is unfortunate, she must have been pretty close.

My greatest hope is that Vealy was resting Melbourne last night. Hopefully Shannon takes a protective approach with the Magician. So important to the Opals since she knows exactly how to work effectively with Melbourne, Magbegor and Reid
amongst others.

Any team news out about the game against Brazil on Friday morning?

No changes to Opals.

In the first games of the day...
China demolished NZ who are absolutely terrible under Molloy.
France smoke Puerto Rico.

Germany beat Serbia.

@Weedy Slug... who's ya starting 5 ?

No predictions from anyone? This is a worry

It was a bit worrying that they lost that lead in the third quarter but held strong to close out the game. Will Sandy go with the same starting 5 in this next game? I must say I am pleased that Madgen didn't start simply due to the length of time she takes to start a play!

Ezi saved our bacon with consecutive blocks at the end. Such a poor shooting display from the Opals. But I doubt Sandie changing anything much.

Ezi and Carla (i think) blocks at the end of the Brazil game were a great way to teach my son that defence is a key part of the game. But my heart was in my mouth watching it!!! Am yet to watch the Germany game but am thrilled with the result!