George adds spark to Fire title hopes
TOWNSVILLE Fire coach Claudia Brassard believes the return of star forward Cayla George will make them legitimate WNBL title contenders with the shortened season sparking an influx of players returning from Europe.
George was a crucial piece of the Fire’s back- to- back championships in 2014- 15 and 2015- 16, and returns after a year away where she helped guide Uniqa Sopron to the Hungarian title.
The 28- year- old will take plenty of pressure off reigning WNBL Most Valuable Player Suzy Batkovic in the front court, and her defence was sorely missed last season when the Fire were eliminated in the semi finals.
The Fire knew they needed to bolster their line- up with the likes of Jenna O’Hea and Liz Cambage returning to the league with Melbourne, while Adelaide has signed former league MVP Abby Bishop.
“I think league wide every team has improved in that ( front court) area as well,” Fire coach Claudia Brassard said.
“We’re just trying to keep up with Melbourne when they have Liz Cambage and Louella Tomlinson there. It does make us really tall and hard to defend.
“I think we really missed her on the defensive end last year. I think she averaged 12 rebounds a game and that lets Suzy run down the floor a little more and lightens her load.” The league will run for a month shorter than last year, and the number of games have been reduced from 24 to 21.
Several midweek games will be played next season, and the shorter season also ensures each team plays each other three times.
Brassard said they may have been unable to lure George, who averaged over 15 points and 11 rebounds in her previous two seasons with Fire, back to the fold had the season finished in March as usual.
“Had it been a longer season she’d probably be off to Europe again making a lot more money, but the opportunity’s there to play for us and then go to Europe,” Brassard said.
“It’s a reason why we ended up with Jenna O’Hea and Liz Cambage back into the league, it’s a trade off.
“It’s hard to compete with the European dollars. If we can do these things to make sure it’s one of the best leagues in the world, it’s great.”
George’s signing means the Fire now has five players — George, Batkovic, Micaela Cocks, Mia Murray and Darcee Garbin — on their books for next season.
They are close to signing a couple more players and are optimistic veteran point guard Kelly Wilson will play on for another year.
The WNBL will return to television on Fox Sports this year in a huge boost for the league.
“Nothing beats being home,” George said.
“With the new Fox Sports deal — and a slightly shorter season — it was so enticing to come back.”