Venom ready for season opener

GEELONG Venom are amped up and ready to go ahead of their opening night matchup with the Sydney Flames.

The two sides will lock horns tonight (Saturday, October 18) at Geelong Arena in their first match of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season.

The Venom head into the game fresh off the back of a preseason win over the Bendigo Spirit 79-69.

Recruit Mackenzie Holmes had her season off to a good start with 20 points and nine rebounds, while WNBA forward Alissa Pili also poured in 18 points of her own.

Both Geelong and Sydney finished last season with a record of 6 wins and 15 losses and will be keen to get their season off to the best possible start.

Venom head coach Chris Lucas said Sydney would be a tough test first up.

“They’re a very solid team, with experience across the court, and they’re balanced both on the perimeter and inside. Nicholson can be damaging, and Swain can cut loose.

“Our approach is simple: we’ll prepare as best we can and focus on our game. If we execute our plan, we’ll give ourselves the best chance to succeed.”

Lucas said the team has been showing lots of potential, gelling well and learning each other’s tendencies on and off the floor.

“Our key focus heading into the season has been on defence. We want to be stronger and more consistent than we were last year, and we’ve been working hard on those aspects in training.

“Offensively, the flow and chemistry will naturally come as the season progresses — our goal is to create a foundation where both sides of the floor complement each other.

“Once we’re fully gelling, I think we’ll have a lot of flexibility in how we play, which will make us tougher to defend against.”

Tip-off for tonight’s matchup is 7pm.

For more information, head to geelongvenom.wnbl.com.au