Spirit crash to back-to-back defeats, WNBL legend makes return

HOPES of a home court advantage during the WNBL semi-final series have all but evaporated for Bendigo Spirit following a disappointing loss in the team’s last regular season home game against Perth Lynx last Sunday.

The Spirit led 51-45 early in the third quarter at Red Energy Arena, but faltered badly down the stretch to be outscored 43-13 by the Lynx, who cruised to an easy and crucial win.

An 88-64 triumph for the Lynx (17-5) put them a win and percentage ahead of third-placed Bendigo (16-6).

The Lynx can sew up second spot with a win over the last-placed Sydney Flames in Perth this Saturday in their final game of the regular season.

To have any hope of landing second spot, the Spirit will need the Lynx to lose to the Flames and to then topple ladder leaders Townsville Fire by a huge margin in Townsville on Sunday.

It was Amy Atwell, well-known to Bendigo fans for leading the NBL1 Braves to a national championship in 2023, who inflicted most damage on the Spirit when it counted.

The star guard dominated the third quarter with 13 points, including a trio of threes, en route to a game-high 23 points.

She was well supported by Han Xu (18 points, six rebounds) and Alex Ciabattoni (16 points, seven rebounds, four assists).

Anneli Maley, league MVP in 2021-22 while playing for the Spirit, dominated the boards with 22 rebounds, including 15 in the first half.

Izzy Borlase top scored for the Spirit with 16 points, but lacked support as Bendigo crashed to their second loss on the trot following a 73-80 loss to Geelong Venom on Friday night in Geelong.

Disappointed with the second-half effort, Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama did not expect the loss to affect the team’s confidence as finals approached.

“It doesn’t change anything we have done throughout the season. The (weekend’s) results are not ideal, but it hasn’t changed the amount of work we’ve put in, the results we’ve had and the confidence we’ve built,” he said.

“That work has been banked all season long.

“From my perspective, we’ll watch the tape, make some adjustments and we’ll work to get better.

“As far as confidence goes, we gave them (the Lynx) a touch up in Traralgon, they’ve given us a touch up (last Sunday) and every other game has been competitive and close, so it’s relatively neutral.”

Meanwhile, the Spirit have temporarily welcomed back league and club legend Kelly Wilson to the fold. Wilson returns as an injury replacement player for Micah Simpson, who ruptured her ACL in last Friday’s home win over Canberra.

Wilson, the league’s games record holder, suited up for the Spirit’s games against Geelong and Perth last weekend and will again be available for the team’s final regular season contest against Townsville Fire this Sunday in Townsville.

She is ineligible to play for Bendigo in the coming finals series.

Wilson – a five-time WNBL champion – last took to the WNBL court on 9 March last year in game two of the 2024-25 grand final series against the Fire in Townsville, where the Spirit claimed the championship inside two games.

Unknown to the general public, Wilson was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time.

The 42-year-old originally sat out the 2025-26 season after giving birth to her second child last September, but said she was excited for the opportunity to get back on the court.

“With our family still based in Bendigo, it’s been great to still be around and involved with the team where I can,” Wilson said.

“It’s been really impressive to see how the team has continued to evolve, and particularly how the younger players have developed with each and every game.

“To still be as successful on court as they have been with (Marianna) Tolo announcing her pregnancy last year and also losing Casey (Samuels) and Micah at various points due to injury, is testament to everyone involved with the club.

“Whilst I’m absolutely gutted for Micah, I’m excited to get back on court again, get a taste of that competitive spirit, and contribute where I can to help get the team in the optimum position for finals.”

Spirit general manager Dan Jackson said the club was thrilled to have Wilson back in the blue, yellow and white.

“Her experience and basketball IQ is an asset to any team she is a part of, and so we’re really excited that the fans – especially those who came to our final home game in Bendigo on Sunday – had the chance to see her in action again,” he said..

“Although she can’t play finals, we’re all about doing everything we can to put ourselves in the best possible position to defend our championship.

“If having Kelly on the team for those three games helps us just one per cent, then she’s more than done her job.”