United fall short against Perth

GEELONG United battled it out in their first home game of 2025 as they took on top two team Perth Lynx in Round 11 of the WNBL.

Despite a tight game from the beginning and Geelong converting rebounds to goals, the home team was defeated by three points, 80-77.

Geelong started the game strong, scoring the first four points before Lynx found their feet, leading at the end of first quarter by five points.

The visiting team continued their lead into the second, where Geelong started the fight back, going into the half time break just one point down.

Headed into the second half, Lynx hit the court running, extending their lead to 11 points, closing out the quarter at seven in front.

United started the last quarter firing, opening the final term with six points in less than 70 seconds.

A burst from Lynx saw their lead extend again before Geelong’s Jaz Shelley and Gemma Potter made it a one-point game again with back-to-back three balls.

Ultimately Lynx was sent to the line with just eight seconds on the clock and made both shots, and Geelong’s Elissa Brett missed an attempt to force the game into overtime.

United were without their captain, Keely Froling, this week and for the remainder of the season, sidelined with a knee injury following the team’s game against the Capitals in Round 10.

Coach Chris Lucas said losing Froling had left a big hole on the court, although other players were rising to the challenge and stepping up.

“We can’t change it, we’ve lost Keely for the rest of the season, so I think we need to embrace the opportunity for other players and I think they’re taking the opportunity.”

Lucas said the team’s last loss against Perth in Round 8 was not acceptable and the team had made some big adjustments coming into their recent game.

“Pretty pleased with the team to be quite honest, it’s a huge effort against a second to top team, but still a loss.

“We just want to keep getting better [and] keep getting minutes into our young players, which we’re doing.

“As this group’s done all year, they keep fighting and I was really proud of that.”

The loss comes off the back of Geelong’s six-point win against the Southside Flyers last week, in which Jaz Shelley was named as player of the match and in the WNBL Round 11 team.

Geelong United will return to the Geelong Arena tomorrow night (Friday, January 17) where they take on the Sydney Flames at 7pm.