Penina Davidson’s reflections on the 2023/24 WNBL season

Penina Davidson is an incredible character of strength and athleticism, who consistently works so hard for the Deakin Melbourne Boomers, and she has the stats to prove it.

The 2023/24 WNBL season marks Davidson’s fifth with the club, racking up over 100 games and remains a core player for the fan base and the team.

The Auckland born player began playing for the Melbourne Boomers in 2019 and quickly became an important member of the squad and an important piece in game play.

“Once you hit five years with a club, you get to know it really well, all the ins and outs which is great”

Davidson notes that the organisation and the team “feels more homey” than it had in previous seasons, regardless of the overhaul of new talent that joined the Boomers this season.

She noticed when entering the preseason trainings that things “felt a little different” playing with an entirely new squad but stated “it’s been awesome” competing with the once inceptive team.

“Establishing a new core this season was pretty daunting at first, but it’s been a very cool season.”

Davidson even brought along childhood best friend Tera Reed for her first WNBL season and professed “it’s been awesome playing with” Tera, donning the yellow and purple together.

Penina linked up with Reed earlier in 2023 to play for the Northern Kahu team in New Zealand, having a great season there and Davidson said she’s “loved watching T’s professionalism grow” playing with the Boomers.

“We just had a pretty hard time missing out on the Olympics in China. Just seeing her bounce back and come back in, it’s been awesome.”

Davidson has also had the chance to play with WNBA royalty in Naz Hillmon and recently crowned 2023/24 WNBL MVP Jordin Canada and has relished the opportunity to play with “such amazing players”.

“With Jordin and Naz, we kind of feed off their professionalism and that level of elite athleticism.”

Davidson “definitely expected” Canada to bag the coveted WNBL MVP award and “for sure” knew that it was all hers for the taking.

Penina, like a few of her fellow Boomers, has had an interrupted season due to a calf injury from early January, during the win against the Townsville Fire.

However, things are looking up for Davidson who has been cleared for running which is “an amazing step” for the star forward and was even training with the team this morning.

The Deakin Melbourne Boomers had a loss on Wednesday night for Game 1 of their CYGNETT WNBL Semi Finals series against the Southside Flyers, but Davidson is not worried about Game 2, noting the “same scenario” has occurred for the 3-game series.

“It’s a prefect rematch from last year to the tee so it’s a pretty cool chance to redo last year.”

Davidson is no stranger to a WNBL finals season and winning a Championship and knows to simply take things “one day at a time”.

“It’s going to be a tough and long two weeks but hopefully we get there.”

Get your tickets for Game 2 of the Semi Finals series against the Southside Flyers here!

The match will kick off at 7pm at the Boom Box, right next to the Melbourne Zoo!

You will also be able to watch the game on ESPN or Kayo!