Season Preview - West Adelaide Women
The gist: Coming off their most disappointing season in years, the Bearcats have signed former Sturt, Forestville and Centrals superstar Jessica Mahony, which is almost certain to make them a formidable side this term.
The stat: The last time the Bearcats missed the finals, they made the Grand Final the following season.
The star: Former Halls Medallist Mahony has won premierships with Sturt and Forestville, as well as leading Centrals to back-to-back finals appearances. After averaging a career-best 14.6 ppg in 2012, Mahony will be out to lead the Bearcats back to the final five.
The x-factor: Ashlea Vordermaier shot a career-low 30.4% from the field last season, while failing to improve on her previous year’s scoring output for the first time in her career. Can she step back up again, or will she continue to battle against the extra responsibility.
The glass half-full: Mahony and Desinta Cummins (9.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.1 apg) will bring other players into the game and tighten things up at the defensive end.
The glass half-empty: The Bearcats have lost two of their best players in Trudy Holland and Narelle van Leuven, and after shooting the ball terribly last season, have not been able to find a proven “shooter”.
The verdict: The Bearcats should be much stronger than last season and earn a low playoff seed.
Predicted finish: 5th
2012
Final placing: 8th
Record:4-14
Home record:1-8
Road Record:3-6
Longest win streak:2
Longest losing streak: 6 (twice)
Best result:72-70 W @ Eastern
Worst result:33-60 L v Centrals
2013
By James Woite
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