Spirit-ual leader focuses on future over title success
Sebastian Tan |
Kelsey Griffin isn’t focused on winning a WNBL championship, but is intent on setting up Bendigo Spirit’s young guns for the future.
Griffin has been central in leading her young side into the championship conversation, despite missing senior stars Marianna Tolo (pregnancy) and Casey Samuels (foot).
The 38-year-old is also averaging a double-double, making more than 11 points and 10 rebounds a game.
“You start every season wanting to win a championship, but what I’ve learned over my time is you need a lot of things to go right, and a bit of luck to win,” Griffin told AAP.
“At the beginning of the season I stopped setting out big goals.
“Instead, this season is about Izzy (Isobel Borlase) as she wants to go play in the WNBA.
“It’s about how I can prepare her to go and do that. I’ll share my experience and try to put her in a position where she can make a decision.”
The captain’s mindset has paid off, with Borlase the league’s most prolific scorer and central to the ladder leaders’ title charge.
“One of the biggest compliments for my career was Izzy saying how she feels like she gets to be herself,” Griffin said.
“For people to feel like they belong, feel safe and can put themselves out there, it’s really important to me.
“If we win a championship, that’s a big bonus, but I really want to help set up everyone else’s journey so they can be successful.”
Perth’s in-form Alex Ciabattoni will play her 150th game when the Lynx take on the Spirit to tip off HoopsFest on Thursday.
Averaging more than 15 points per game, the 31-year-old has been in terrific form, but she believes one player really making a difference for the side is Anneli Maley.
The Olympian is making about 14 points and 13 boards a match and is the competition’s top rebounder.
“I haven’t heard much MVP talk, but I would be surprised if she isn’t highly in consideration,” Ciabattoni said.
“When you have a top-three team performing the way they are and an individual getting the stats, that’s very hard to ignore.
“I haven’t seen her in this kind of form since probably that MVP season (2022). Don’t get me wrong, she’s always good, but this is just next level.”
The Geelong Venom face the Sydney Flames on Friday night, before the Adelaide Lightning and Southside Melbourne Flyers play in a crunch clash for fourth spot on Saturday.
The UC Capitals have two games in three days, first against the Townsville Fire on Sunday, then Adelaide on Tuesday.
Perth host Townsville in a top-of-the-table clash later on Tuesday, before Bendigo take on Southside Melbourne on Wednesday after bushfires postponed their original fixture.
AAP
