Fire power too much for Bendigo

The Townsville Fire have responded to their coach's disappointment in emphatic fashion by defeating Bendigo 91-68 on the Spirit's home court.

After unveiling their WNBL Championship Banner at home on Sunday, the Fire's afternoon turned for the worse when they were outclassed by the Sydney Flames 90-77.

Coach Shannon Seebohm was left frustrated with how his defending champions had been playing to start the campaign, losing two of their first three games and lacking cohesiveness.

On Tuesday night at Red Energy Arena, they looked desperate to end their coach's dissatisfaction, with co-captain Courtney Woods leading the way with a season-high 27 points along with seven assists and six rebounds.

But they may have to sweat on the fitness of German international Marie Gulich, whose legs clattered into Opal Jade Melbourne in the third quarter, forcing her to leave the court gingerly.

"She's come off an ACL so ... I think probably (had) the panic of, 'Oh my god is this (happening) again?'," Seebohm said.

"I think she's OK, just a bit shaken up.

"I don't think we've been playing with the same hunger that we have had the last couple seasons, but today I saw that."

American Lauren Jensen (22 points) and Alex Fowler (19 points, nine rebounds) also stepped up to help the visitors claim victory in the 2024-25 grand final rematch.

Bendigo were out to avenge a crushing two-point loss to the UC Capitals last round, but the home side suffered a pre-game blow as veteran centre Marianna Tolo was ruled out with an Achilles injury.

Melbourne (19 points, eight assists, six boards) and forward Kelsey Rees (20 points, six rebounds) were shining lights, but last season's semi-finalists were wasteful in front of the basket, scoring just 37.3 per cent of their field goal attempts.

"If we want to be a serious competitor and serious about the way we want to play and compete in this league, we need to be far better than that," coach Kennedy Kereama said.

"I just don't think our level of execution or intent was anywhere close to Townsville."

Both teams exchanged a flurry of triples in the opening quarter, but it was Townsville who took a 29-25 lead into the first break after some sharp shooting from Woods.

The Fire took full advantage of the Spirit's meagre defence, producing a 7-0 run to start the second period, which ballooned their advantage to 13 points at halftime.

Woods continued to sink baskets as Townsville led 77-52 at the final break, and from there, the visitors cruised home.