Perth Lynx co-captain Amy Atwell has issued a confident declaration ahead of two massive WNBL fixtures, stating her squad is fully prepared for the challenges posed by top-tier rivals Bendigo Spirit and Townsville Fire.
Season on the Line in HoopsFest Showdowns
The Lynx's ambition to finish the regular season on top of the WNBL ladder faces its ultimate test this week. Sitting in third place with a 13-4 record, Perth's campaign hinges on their upcoming performances. They open the league's HoopsFest event against the league-leading Bendigo Spirit (13-3) at RAC Arena on Thursday. This blockbuster clash will be followed by a home game against the second-placed Townsville Fire (14-4) on January 20.
A significant gap exists between the top three teams and the rest of the competition, with fourth-placed Southside holding a 7-9 record. The Lynx have openly admitted that their recent matches have been played with an eye on preparing for the style and intensity required against the Spirit and Fire.
Building Momentum from Adelaide Win
Coming off an 80-65 victory over the Adelaide Lightning at the Perth High Performance Centre last Saturday, Atwell believes her team is now ready to measure itself against the league's best. "Definitely," Atwell affirmed. "We faced a really good Adelaide side, and the Canberra game last week was a big teaching point for us. There was a lot of film for us to look at."
She emphasised the excitement surrounding the high-stakes matchups. "These are the kinds of games you play basketball for. It's a big week with HoopsFest. For us, it is about not getting wrapped up in all of that and getting up and excited to play a really good Bendigo team."
Transforming into a Defensive Powerhouse
The season series with Bendigo has been a tale of two extremes. The Lynx secured a 79-64 home win in November, only to suffer a heavy 87-58 defeat in the return match the following weekend. While the Lynx endured a shooting nightmare in that loss, Atwell highlighted a critical evolution in the team's identity this season.
No longer reliant solely on outscoring opponents, Perth has developed into a formidable defensive unit. The Lynx are currently ranked second in the league for both offensive and defensive scoring efficiency. Bendigo has conceded the fewest points but scores the least, while Townsville boasts the best offence and is third defensively.
"That's something we have struggled with in the past," Atwell admitted regarding defensive consistency. "When we aren't making shots, in the past we have struggled to win those games. This year we have won a couple of low-scoring grind games. That's definitely been a focus since day one of pre-season - lifting that defensive intensity."
Atwell pointed out that this gritty approach is essential for postseason success. "Come finals, scoring naturally comes down a lot. It tightens up, and the game gets more physical. We're preparing for those moments."
With the WNBL's top spot within reach, the Lynx's refined, defence-first mentality under co-captain Amy Atwell will face its sternest examination yet during the pivotal HoopsFest fortnight.
