By Nick Creely
The Dandenong Rangers will start the 2017/18 season off with a bang, with a home clash against rivals Melbourne Boomers after the WNBL last week released the fixture for the upcoming season.
After finishing runners-up in last year’s thrilling season, the Rangers are ready to bounce into the new season.
It’s set to be a historic 2017/17 season and one of the biggest years in recent memory, with one game per week set to be broadcast live and advertisement free on Fox Sports Australia.
The Rangers will play a total of 11 matches in Victoria, including a game in Traralgon in Round 7 as part of the club’s commitment to the Gippsland region.
They will face last year’s premiers Sydney Uni in Round 2 in what will be an exciting grand final rematch, and also in Rounds 4 and 11, with two games to be played at Dandenong Stadium and the other to be played interstate.
In total, the Rangers will play nine matches at their home fortress at Dandenong.
It’s already been a hectic off-season for the Rangers, with Tayla Roberts, Laia Palau, Rebecca Pizey, Kiera Rowe, Tessa Lavey, Kayla Pedersen and Carley Mijovic all signing with the club.
Aimee Clydesdale, Lauren Scherf and Natalie Novsel have departed the club for opportunities at other franchises.
Rangers’ fixture for 2017/18:
Round 1 – Friday 6 October, Dandenong v Melbourne, 7.30pm
Round 2 – Saturday 14 October, Sydney Uni v Dandenong, 7pm
Round 3 – Saturday 21 October, Dandenong v Townsville, 3pm
Sunday 22 October, UC Capitals v Dandenong, 3pm
Round 4 – Friday 27 October, Perth v Dandenong, 6.30pm
Sunday 29 October, Dandenong v Sydney Uni, 5.30pm
Round 5 – Thursday 2 November, Adelaide v Dandenong, 7.30pm
Monday 6 November, Melbourne v Dandenong, 7.30pm
Round 6 – Friday 10 November, Dandenong v Adelaide, 7.30pm
Round 7 – Sunday 19 November, Dandenong v Bendigo, 2pm
Round 8 – Thursday 23 November, Dandenong v Perth, 7.30pm
Saturday 25 November, Dandenong v Adelaide, 7.30pm
Round 9 – Wednesday 29 November, Dandenong v Townsville, 7.30pm
Saturday 2 December, Bendigo v Dandenong, 3pm
Round 10 – Thursday 7 December, Perth v Dandenong, 6.30pm
Saturday 9 December, Dandenong v UC Capitals, 7pm
Round 11 – Thursday 14 December, Dandenong v Sydney Uni, 7.30pm
Saturday 16 December, Townsville v Dandenong, 7pm
Round 12 – Thursday 21 December, Bendigo v Dandenong, 7pm
Saturday 23 December, Dandenong v UC Capitals, 6.30pm
Round 13 – Saturday 30 December, Melbourne v Dandenong, 3pm
