Champion back to help rekindle Fire
A THREE-TIME champion is back for the Townsville Fire, marking the club’s first signing of the free agency period.
Mia Murray will return to the WNBL for the 2020/21 season after missing the past two season – still equipped with her reputation as a big game player.
And that experience will be crucial to the Fire’s chances of turning their fortunes around.
The 2015 WNBL grand final MVP welcomed her son, Sidney, into the world last year as Townsville succumbed to a bottom-placed finish in the national competition.
As one of only three players signed on for the upcoming campaign, and the hunt for a new skipper on, her natural leadership will play an important role in galvanising what will be a completely new-look black and orange outfit.
When the free agency period opened, Fire coach Shannon Seebohm said they would be looking at the character and ethic of players as much as their on-court abilities before putting pen to paper.
Murray’s on and off court leadership fits that mould – particularly if a young squad becomes a reality for the rebuilding club.
But after sitting out the past two WNBL seasons she said she would largely be coming in with a clean slate.
“I think I’d be fairly naive to think everything will be back to normal when I come back in, it’s like a new start for me,” Murray said.
“I’ve sort of been in this position before. When I arrived in 2011 we were a new team playing for a new coach.
“We really had to establish winning habits and a strong culture early and we got straight into the finals race and built from there.
“I was a part of that time when a winning culture was established … but first and foremost I have to get fit again.” Being a mum has rejuvenated Murray.
Traditionally she said she was a nervous player in the lead up to game day, but now that off court focus could lead to a calmer athlete on court. But in her eyes the game has evolved since she last played. It is faster and often players have to “create their own shot”.
And in Seebohm, Murray believes the perfect mentor is on board to help her own game progress. Seebohm and Murray go some way back, having played for the same junior club when the pair lived in Adelaide.
While she has never been in a position where she was “the same as my coach”, she said he had the resources and know-how to build the Fire back to title contention.