Star duo to reunite
FIRE captain Suzy Batkovic is confident she and Cayla George can pick up right where they left off when the star forward returns to Townsville this season.
George and Batkovic built a devastating frontcourt combination during the Fire’s dual championship reign before George ( pictured) chose to pursue new opportunities in Europe and North America.
Batkovic was as brilliant as ever last season as she claimed a record fifth WNBL MVP award, but the Fire sorely missed George’s inside presence as they crashed out in the semi- finals. The Fire have some promising bigs on their roster including World Uni Games gold medallist Darcee Garbin and rookie Zitina Aokuso, but Batkovic felt George’s experience would be invaluable.
“Obviously, it’s great playing with a big that’s capable of defending the way she does,” Batkovic said.
“She’s got such long arms — we definitely missed that arm span — and she can shoot the ball extremely well.
“To have that other big is going to be a benefit for us and having her back to ease my load a little bit will be nice as well.”
George’s Fire teammates are still eagerly awaiting her return after the Phoenix Mercury won through to the second round of the WNBA playoffs this week.
Phoenix will take on the Connecticut Sun on Monday ( AEST) for a place in the five- game semi- final series which means George may not be back in Townsville until the end of the month.
The Fire have also been without sharpshooter Sydney Wiese during the preseason, with the LA Sparks already through to the semifinals as they chase back- toback championships.
The WNBA duo will have little time to prepare ahead of the Fire’s season opener in Melbourne on October 7, but Batkovic was confident her chemistry with George won’t be a problem.
“That’s what good players do. When you play with someone for a while, you work it out,” she said.
The Fire are trying to squeeze everything they can out of their preseason with the condensed WNBL schedule and Batkovic said she was pleased to see her teammates putting in the hard yards.
“Preseason is tough, but it’s meant to be tough. It’s where you start getting a base and pushing forward,” Batkovic said.
“For us, it’s doing the work right now and making sure that we’ve come in better shape than what we have in the past.”