Dandenong Jayco Rangers players Rachael Flanagan, Emily McInerny and Caitlin Ryan are preparing for Friday night’s season opener at Dandenong Basketball Stadium.Picture: Meagan Rogers.
By Paul Pickering
ROOKIE head coach Dale Waters will unleash his run and gun Rangers on the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) competition this week as Dandenong plays host to Bulleen in the anticipated season opener.
After an eventful off-season at Dandenong Stadium, Waters has vowed that his new-look side will roll the dice on offence this year – guaranteeing an entertaining brand of basketball for loyal Rangers crowds.
“It’ll certainly be a different team and a different look this season,” Waters said.
“We’ve been fairly selective in the type of people we’ve recruited, with the key criteria being that they fit into the up-tempo running style that we will play.
“We’re certainly a lot more experienced this year as well, and we hope that with that balance of experienced heads and exciting talent coming through – in time we’re going to be very good.”
Despite losing current Opals Kathleen McLeod (Bendigo) and Samantha Richards (Perth), Dandenong’s squad looks a more potent force than last year’s side, which lost its semi-final after finishing the regular season with a 12-9 win-loss record.
Returning stars Caitlin Ryan and Emily McInerny will again lead the Rangers into battle, while Larissa Anderson (nee Cavanagh) while assume the dual role of player and assistant coach.
The marquee off-season recruit has been two-time Olympian Michelle Brogan, who is sure to become an instant crowd favourite at Stud Road.
Waters said Brogan had already had an influence on the squad since arriving at Dandenong.
“She’s such a good person to have within the group,” he said.
“She has such a terrific work ethic and is such a positive person – she’s a real role model in the group.”
The Rangers’ squad will also be bolstered by the arrival of American import Kelsey Duoss.
Duoss is an athletic 191cm forward who has just completed a stellar college career with the University of Wisconsin Stout.
Similarly, Aussie young gun Chantella Perera will finish up with Fresno State University in California to join the Rangers in December.
Perera, who was a member of the silver medal-winning Australian Sapphires at the recent under 21 World Championships, will be a crucial cog in the Rangers’ running machine during the second half of the season.
Waters is also excited about the arrival of point guard Rachael Flanigan and rangy small forward Faith Probst, while the gutsy return of Shelley Hammonds from a severe back injury is likely to provide constant inspiration for her team-mates throughout the summer.
Having begun pre-season training in July, Waters’ charges have followed a gruelling conditioning program devised by triathlete Alan King from Breakthrough Sports, ensuring that the Rangers will hit the floor running on Friday night.
After hosting the official WNBL launch at Dandenong on Wednesday, the season will tip-off on the same court at 7.30pm on Friday.
