Dandenong Ranger and WNBL Defensive Player of the Year Emily McInerny has made the Commonwealth Games Opals side. By Glen Atwell
THREE Dandenong Rangers have set their sights on gold after being selected in the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Opals team.
Jacinta Hamilton, Emily McInerny and Carly Wilson received the important phone call this week from Opals coach Jan Stirling informing them of their inclusion.
The squad had spent many hours together training and bonding as a team before the final cut was made.
Rangers co-captain Carly Wilson said she hoped the selections would give her team a big confidence boost in the lead-up to the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) Grand Final against the Canberra Capitals on Saturday.
“It’s fantastic that after our successes with the Rangers in the WNBL, a few of us have been recognised and rewarded with a call up for the Commonwealth Games”, she said.
Rangers’ talent Samantha Richards was a notable omission, with Erin Phillips and Tully Bevilaqua filling the point-guard positions.
Kathleen Macleod, Emma Randall and Shelley Hammonds were other Dandenong players to also miss out on Commonwealth Games selection.
The Australian Opals will contest Pool C against England, India and Mozambique at next month’s games.
