CAYLA’S LONG ROAD ‘ HOME’
WHEN it comes to the WNBL, shorter is sweeter for Cayla George.
The forward admits had the upcoming season not been a month shorter than usual, it would be highly unlikely she’d be coming back to Townsville Fire for a crack at a third championship.
A traditional March finish would cross over with the European seasons and the greater riches on offer overseas are too tempting to ignore.
The February finish allows the 28- yearold to return “home” after what will be ten months abroad when she finishes a WNBA campaign with Phoenix Mercury.
The 28- year- old now boasts three championships in three years after winning the Hungarian title with Sopron, off the back of two straight WNBL championships in Townsville. “I think it would have been more difficult ( to return to Townsville if it wasn’t a
shorter season), to be honest,” she said. “You only play basketball for so long and you have to earn a living. I would have evaluated a lot of things but I’m pretty sure I would have gone straight back over to Europe, so the fact it is shorter has been a massive reason why I’ve come home.” George is one of many established Opals who will return to the WNBL after spending recent seasons overseas. Jenna O’Hea and Liz Cambage means last season’s strugglers Melbourne Boomers will be formidable, while Adelaide has recruited former league Most Valuable Player Abby Bishop. “When the news came through that Foxtel was going to be involved which made the season a chunk shorter, for me that was so enticing,” George said. “Finishing earlier will enable me to go back to Europe straight away, for me it was a no- brainer. “I’ve been away since Christmas time so it will be ten months away, I’m really looking forward to coming home.” The persuasive skills of Fire vicecaptain Mia Murray also played its part in luring George back to Townsville, where she will resume her formidable front court partnership with defending league MVP Suzy Batkovic. “Mia Murray talked me into it, she visited me in Hungary when she was over visiting Brad ( Newley, brother) in Greece,” George said. “We had a few chats about it and I’m very close to Mia, it will be great to play with her again.” BULLETIN
After two seasons without a
TV broadcast deal, George said Foxtel’s agreement to televise at least one game a week can thrust basketball back into the spotlight.
The players have been virtually invisible to the wider public during the TV blackout, while netball, AFL Women’s and cricket’s Women’s Big Bash League have enjoyed a glut of exposure.
George said the fact Australian Opals veteran Erin Phillips is now known more as a footballer who sometimes plays basketball after being named AFL Women’s inaugural Most Valuable Player is frustrating.
“Erin Phillips is an absolute stud, she deserves every accolade she gets, but the thing that saddens me a little bit about it all is she’s a two- time Olympian, a WNBA and WNBL champion, everything else she’s done in the basketball world, but she’s got all these accolades as a football superstar,” George said. “This TV deal is so important because she will be recognised as Erin Phillips the basketballer, not the amazing footballer who has dabbled in basketball.
“The TV deal is humungous and we need to get basketball back on the platform where it should be, because it’s such a popular sport.”
George is playing under Sandy Brondello in Phoenix, who was recently announced as the Opals’ new head coach. She is charged with guiding the Opals back to the Olympic medal dais after they were upset by Serbia in the quarterfinal stage in 2016.
George believes her appointment is a huge step in the right direction but said the scars of Rio may never fully heal.
“Sandy’s a great appointment. She’s had experience in the WNBA and Europe as a coach and player, who better to try and beat the Americans,” George said.
“I definitely would love to retire from the game and say I’m an Olympic medallist.
“I’ll never get over how Rio ended, it’s heartbreaking to say the least and it’s still really tough to talk about.
“Having Sandy as coach is a huge step in the right direction, but it’s going to be a tough team to make.”
George is confident the Fire will be a contender after they were eliminated by eventual champion Sydney in the semi final stage last season.
But she laughed she’s not a lucky charm, despite a hat- trick of championships at home and abroad.
“I had a funny feeling someone in the media would bring that up,” she said.
“It’s nice to win a third championship in three years but I don’t think I’m a lucky charm. I like to think I’m a good teammate who will do anything for my team.
“I’m super comfortable with the Fire family, it’s close to Cairns where our immediate family live and I’m so excited to be coming back.
“It’s going to be a tough league with great teams and big name players.”