The WNBL 2023-24 Semi-Final and Grand Final series will ring in the memories of millions of Aussie women’s basketball lovers for years. The epic semi-final clash series that saw the 1 Vs 4 and 2 Vs 3 seeding has now ended, and it is crystal clear that Flyers are finals bound, after flooring their archrivals, Melbourne Boomers 93 -77. 

Southside Flyers players Rebecca Cole, Lauren Jackson, Nyadiew Puoch and Jasmine Dickey celebrate after winning game three of the WNBL Semi-Final series between Southside Flyers and Melbourne Boomers to qualify for the Grand Finals at Melbourne Sports Centres – Parkville, on March 06, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia.

They now join Perth Lynx, who easily cruised past Townsville Fire with 2 against 0 wins in the post-season final series that kicked off earlier on 28th February. 

The Path to the WNBL 2023-24 Cygnett Grand Finals 

Typically, if you have been around, you are aware of the usually highly-anticipated final series that follows the conclusion of the regular WNBL season. The series comprises semis which involve the seeding of the top four teams at the end of the regular league/season and the ultimate final series. 

The 2023-24 season was the 44th edition of the competition, and it wasn’t different from the previous recent season formats. Running from November 1st, 2023 to February 25th, 2024, the regular season comprised 15 rigorous rounds. Fortunately, Basketball News Australia gives you incredible snippets into the rigorous weekly fixtures covering all the rounds. Our expert reviews leave no stone unturned to bring the latest in the WNBL competitions, including the ‘Grand Finals’ we are about to take you through below. 

Well, the path to the Final series involves Semi-Finals (pooling of the top four teams after the regular season). With Townsville Fire, South Side Flyers, Melbourne Boomers, and Perth Lynx topping the charts in that order, the 2023-24 WNBL Semi-Finals fixtures involved three matches featuring Townsville Fire Vs Perth (1 Vs 4), and Flyers Vs Boomers (2 Vs 3). 

Perth Lynx Vs Southside Flyers WNBL 2023-24 Grand Finalists!

After the intense semis, the Flyers officially joined Lynx in the grand finals taking place between 10 March 2024 and Sunday, 17th March. The fixtures are as follows. 

• Game 1 – Sunday 10 March – 3.30 pm (AEDT) – Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville
• Game 2 – Thursday 14 March – 6.30 pm (AWST) – Bendat Basketball Centre
• Game 3 (if required) – Sunday 17 March – Time TBC – Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville

For Flyers and Perths’, it has been quite a journey, especially in the semi-final fixtures, with the Flyers playing all three games after the deadlock couldn’t be broken in game two. 

The Flyers Vs Boomers’ last game of the semis, was for instance, a thrilling display of determination from both sides. 

Melbourne Boomers were first to have their name on the scoreboard but Flyers found the right footing into the game, getting a six-point lead at half-time. 

In the second half, the Boomers tried every trick to break into the Flyers tight defense, but it was the latter that enjoyed the last twist of the tail asserting their dominance over spirited Boomers. 

As expected from the charged crowds, Lauren Jackson rose to the occasion with an incredible 38 points to her name. Coincidentally, she even towered above the regular season MVP, Jordin Canada of Boomers who managed only 18 points in the fixture. 

On the boards, her record for the game spoke volumes of her potential with 11 rebounds. Equally impactful in the game was Mercedes Russel who finished the game with 17 points and 9 rebounds. On their side, Boomers rallied behind Jordin Canada and Naz Hilmon with each scoring 18 and 17 points, respectively. Nevertheless, despite their efforts, Flyers remained resilient to beat Boomers 93-77 booking their place into the Finals after three thrilling matches. 

The Flyers qualification into the finals didn’t come as a surprise. If you have been following our Australian women’s basketball league news here, then you know Flyers is not a team you can easily brush off. Led by their incredible head coach, Cheryl Chambers, the Southside Flyers finished second in the regular league standings behind Townsville Fire. 

Besides, this last game of the semis presented a remarkable milestone for the coach who was leading them for the 350th time. Equally, Vice Captain, Maddy Rocci celebrated her 150th game in the semis; thus one can vividly understand the high stakes on the line. 

Important to note, that the Flyers March 6, 2024 qualification into the WNBL Finals was their fourth in five years. It showcases their consistent and domineering performance under the stewardship of Cheryl Chambers, who has been lauded on many occasions as the bedrock of their success. 

With their next series of Grand Finals matches expected to kick-off against Perth Lynx on March 10, 2024, fans from both sides are upbeat hoping their teams will emerge victorious in this 44th edition of the competition. 

As to Perth’s qualification into the finals, they didn’t face strong opposition from the regular league leaders, Townsville Fire whom they were drawn against in the semi-final series. 

PERTH LYNX Head Coach Ryan Petrik hugs Anneli Maley of the Lynx after the win during game two of the WNBL Semi Final series between Perth Lynx and Townsville Fire at Bendat Basketball Stadium, on March 03, 2024, in Perth, Australia.

Led by their head coach, Ryan Petrik, the Perth Lynx team qualified for the WNBL 2023-24Grand Finals after only two matches in the semi-finals. The first match was closely contested with an 88-87 score line meaning only a single point separated the arch-rivals. Then on Sunday, March 3, 2024, they booked their grand entry into the WNBL 2024 Finals after a 108-102 win. 

All eyes are now set on Final series games, with insiders arguing that there is so much on the line for Ryan Petrik who has now led Perth Lynx into two Grand Finals in three years. Remember, previously he has won the coveted Coach of the Year and was instrumental in NBL1’s Rockingham Flames Championship success in men’s and women’s competitions. 

With such coaching experiences and rich profiles from both sides, the much-awaited finale series pitting Flyers and Perth Lynx couldn’t have come at a better time. Till 10th March, we will keep poking our noses from each side’s training grounds as we approach the Grand Final clutch moment, of course with a view to bringing you distilled news regarding experts’ talking points, and strengths and weaknesses from either side.