DNP to Finals MVP: Woods’ Remarkable Rise

From Did Not Play (DNP) to WNBL Finals MVP, Courtney Woods’ rise from role player to Championship-winning Captain has become one of the defining stories of WNBL26.

It’s a journey that didn’t happen overnight. Despite featuring in three Grand Final Series, Woods logged more minutes in the WNBL26 decider (73.37) that she has across the 2020, 2023 and 2025 series combined (66.18), ultimately claiming the Rachael Sporn Award. 

Under the guidance of Head Coach Shannon Seebohm, her evolution has been as striking as it has been deliberate. Once known primarily as a shooter, Woods has developed into one of the league’s premier playmakers, a transformation recognised with this season’s Golden Hand award. 

With her natural scoring ability and elite vision and control, Woods became an impossible defensive assignment for Perth, polling 26 votes for Finals MVP while averaging 25 points, seven rebounds and 4.5 assists across the series. 

Her journey, however, is best understood by where it began.

Woods entered the WNBL with the Townsville Fire during the 2020 hub season, averaging just 10.1 minutes in the regular season and playing just two minutes in the Grand Final loss to the Southside Melbourne Flyers. 

In the 2023 Championship Series, Woods again saw limited court time, logging two minutes in game one and none in game two as the Fire claimed the title. 

By last year’s series loss to the Bendigo Spirit, Wood had taken another step, earning her first start and averaging over 30 minutes per game in a tightly contested matchup against the eventual Champions. 

Speaking at the Championship Parade in Townsville, Woods still struggles to put the journey into perspective. 

“DNP to MVP is pretty crazy. Three years ago, we won a championship and I was barely on the court just due to playing behind really great players. It's been a crazy career,” she said.

“I’m just so happy to continue to be a part of this club. Also not to be corny, I’m honestly trying to be a little bit of an inspiration for all those people that are sitting on a bench somewhere, that it can still be you. If it's not happening right now doesn't mean it's not going to ever happen.”

Now, as the Fire begin to turn their attention to WNBL27, the newly crowned Championship Captain is focused on what comes next and who she’ll share it with.

“We try to retain as many players as we can… It's awesome that not only amazing players are coming back, but also your friends are coming back too,” she said.

“The Championship was won because of the power of friendship… I know it’s super corny but that's what makes basketball fun, is playing with your friends. So winning a Championship with this group of people has been absolutely amazing.” 

With Woods, Alicia Froling, Alex Fowler, Miela Sowah, Abbey Ellis, Chloe Forster and two-time Champion Head Coach Shannon Seebohm locked in for WNBL27 – what’s next for the Fire?