By Hayley Wildes
2017 finish: 1st South Division, 3rd overall (15 wins, 7 losses)
Coach: John White
Roster: Isobel Anstey, Rosie Fadjlevic, Taylah Giliam, Leia Hanifan, Tessa Lavey, Tess Madgen, Rebecca Pizzey, Maddison Puli, Kiera Rowe, Tayla Roberts, Emily Sewell and Amelia Todhunter.
The Dandenong Rangers enjoyed a stellar regular season in 2017 which saw them finish third overall and first in the south division (15 wins, 7 losses), but unfortunately the finals were a different story for the Rangers.
With many stars missing from the Rangers’ finals campaign due to international call-ups, the team was eliminated in straight sets, first losing to Bendigo and then Launceston.
There’s no doubt that the Rangers will be looking for redemption in 2018 and they’ve assembled a squad capable of doing just that.
Rio Olympian Tessa Lavey will be suiting up for the Rangers and brings with her a wealth of experience and leadership, as well as quickness and an ability to bring her teammates into the game.
Lavey is renowned for her defensive abilities and will harass opposing guards on the perimeter – making their day as tough as possible.
Lavey isn’t the only Opal joining Dandenong for season 2018. She will be joined by Tess Madgen, who is returning to the court for the first time since tearing her ACL in March last year.
Madgen, much like Lavey, is an aggressive guard who will not take a backwards step on the court. She can take over a game on the offensive end and whilst she is returning from major injury and significant time out of the game, look for her to be a pillar of the Rangers offence.
The backcourt trio of Lavey and Madgen and Amelia Todhunter will cause major headaches for opposing teams. With three topflight guards and the ability to spread out their minutes, there will be no rest for the opposition.
The loss of young gun Lauren Scherf will be felt on both ends of the court. Scherf has returned home to her junior club Diamond Valley, who are entering SEABL for the first time in 2018.
A double-double machine for the Rangers last season, Scherf’s 17.2 points and league-leading 12.2 rebounds per game will be sorely missed.
With that, comes the opportunity for others to step up and prove themselves at SEABL level. Young star forwards; Kiera Rowe and Bec Pizzey – both members of the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship-winning Australian team – are capable of filling that void.
The Rangers’ season tips off on Friday April 6th in Ballarat against the Rush, before heading home to take on the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence on Sunday April 8th in their home opener.
