SYDNEY UNI FLAMES

Last Year: 5 wins, 11 losses- 3^rd  

Roster: Sarah Stewart, Tracey Carruthers, Annabelle Lindsay, Anthea Castelli, Patricia Luff, Kim Hughes, Brodie Palmer, Hannah Dodd, Zeena Suavaga, Stephanie van Leeuwen, Sandra Sono, Liesl Tesch.

Fixture:
Season 2017 begins with a re-match of last year’s bronze medal match-up when the Flames overcame Kilsyth to claim third place. They play two of the opening three games for the year with a bye coming in Round 4 before they play the last game of the regular season against interstate rivals, the Blues.

Overview:
Liesl Tesch’s comeback to the competition is a major boon not only for the WNWBL but for the Flames with her knowledge of the game unparalleled. Combine her with the reigning overall MVP in Sarah Stewart and Hannah Dodd who averaged double-figures in scoring last year and the Flames could be lethal this season. Annabelle Lindsay is a rising star and the reigning Youth Player of the Year, having competed for the Gliders at the Osaka Cup in 2017. With her returning alongside a number of players from last season’s squad, they should bring a consistency to the early games of the year when other teams may struggle.

One To Watch: 
One of the most decorated wheelchair basketball players, Liesl Tesch has returned to the league a year after being inducted to the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame. She was an integral part of the formative years of the WNWBL and was the highest scorer in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006-07 while winning the overall MVP in the first two years of the competition and clinching Championships with the Hills Hornets. Tesch completed her dominance by being named in the All-Star teams in 2000, 2001, 2003-04 and 2007-10 and after competing at the Rio Paralympics in sailing, she is sure to be a damaging player for the Flames again in 2017.

Prediction:
Top Four.