Fire burning bright: How Townsville dominated the WNBL

We take a look back at a remarkable season for the four-time champions.

Coming into the season, the Townsville Fire looked like a strong contender, if not an overwhelming title favourite on paper. The defending champion Melbourne Boomers and star-studded squads in Southside and Bendigo attracted more attention before the season. It’s perhaps instructive that none of The Pick and Roll writers picked them as champions in a season preview.

Yet the Fire became one of the most dominant champions in recent memory, going on a 16-game winning streak and were unbeaten in the finals to claim the tile.

So how did they become the runaway victors? We take a look here at some of the things that went right for the champions of WNBL23.

Credit: May Bailey Photography

Reid and Nicholson were better than ever

Fire captain Lauren Nicholson missed five games across the season with injury but still managed to compile her best season in the league. Few players compete as hard or contribute in so many ways - she’s tough, versatile, makes quick decisions and is a smart, committed defender. The 30 year old also had a remarkable shooting season, finishing with a 50% record from three-point range.