Venom announces co-captains, finalises inaugural WNBL roster

Jaz Shelley was announced as Venom co-captain alongside Alex Sharp. Photo: SUPPLIED

ALEX Sharp and Jaz Shelley have been named co-captains of the inaugural Geelong Venom team, with the official roster locked in ahead of the WNBL season’s return in October.

Sharp is a shifty guard and comes fresh from an international stint with the Australian Opals and a season with the Rockingham Flames in the NBL1 West.

Shelley captained Geelong United in the side’s recent NBL1 South season, which saw the team win every game up until the grand final. Personally, the guard enjoyed a breakout season that earned her the league’s MVP award and a spot in the All First Team.

The finalised Venom line-up includes serious star power like forward Alissa Pili, who was the eighth pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and signed earlier this month. Forward Mackenzie Holmes also joins the team after a stint with Seattle in the WNBA and a career at Indiana University that saw her become the program’s all-time leading scorer.

Young gun Shyla Heal, daughter of Aussie basketball great Shane Heal, will also suit up for the Venom after a training camp stint with Phoenix in the WNBA.

Local talent will also be on display in Geelong’s first year in the WNBL, with 17-year-old Poppy Stevens signing as a development player.

After two preseason hit outs at the Townsville Tip Off, the Venom play their first official game against Sydney in front of a home crowd at Geelong Arena on October 18.