Fixture update: Business end of the season for Melbourne
Sport around Australia and across the world has been heavily impacted by COVID-19 this year, and for the teams that make up the WNBL, this has been no exception.
As a result of the WNBL’s announcement of a new shortened format, teams will compete in 18 games each (hosting nine home games), down from the originally scheduled 21.
This is due to no less than 16-games being either postponed and rescheduled, or cancelled, and the recent WA border closure – meaning the Perth Lynx will stay in Victoria until they’re able to return home.
The regular season will now conclude on March 16, with the WNBL Finals series to tip-off on March 19. Both semi-finals and the Grand Final will be played as three-game series.
Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and state border restrictions, to allow for flexibility, the schedule will now proceed as a rolling fixture which will be released in two-week blocks.
The good news is that we are back in front of the crowd in our home-away-from-home on Sunday, as we take on Perth in Gippsland:
Deakin Melbourne Boomers v Perth Lynx
Sunday, 6th February – 6:00pm AEDT
Gippsland Regional Sports Stadium
Watch LIVE on Kayo
This will be followed by an incredible opportunity to catch two WNBL games back-to-back at our other stomping ground, State Basketball Centre, at the double-header on Sunday, February 20:
Perth Lynx v Jayco Southside Flyers
2:30pm AEDT
State Basketball Centre
Watch LIVE + FREE on Kayo Freebies
Deakin Melbourne Boomers v Sydney Uni Flames
5:00pm AEDT
State Basketball Centre
Watch LIVE on Kayo
Acting Boomers GM, Jake Keogh, says that, “While no changes are ideal, we are committed to playing as many games as possible in front of our fans this year.
“One of our top priorities over the last week while the fixture has undergone changes, has been ensuring we have as many home games as possible for our fans.
“With majority of our home games to be played in the lead up to finals, we need your support filling seats. We need all of our fans at every one of our home games to cheer the team on and help us secure a home final.”
As a result of the shortened format, any games impacted by COVID-19 will be cancelled rather than postponed or rescheduled. This may result in a differential in games played per team, however the ladder positioning will continue to be determined by the winning percentage as per usual.
Having played the most games of the season with a 7-3 win/loss record and sitting near the top of the table, our upcoming games will be crucial in ending the season well.
We appreciate your trust and understanding of everybody doing their best in the current circumstances and continue to endeavour to bring you the best game day experience of the league, with you and your friends and family’s safety as number one priority.
The remainder of the WNBL season will continue to be accessible to all, with games continuing to be broadcast live across Fox Sports, ABC and Kayo channels.
More details will be released as needed in lead up to games. Make sure to follow us on our social channels or sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know all the info as it is released to the public.
We send our best to everyone working so hard to help the community at this time and hope to see you cheering on in purple soon!
Photo credit: Getty Images/Basketball Australia