How to watch & talking points: Geelong v Southside Melbourne

Geelong Venom v Southside Melbourne Flyers
Saturday, October 24, 3pm AEDT
Microkeeper Arena

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Tickets

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Rosters

Geelong

Expected depth chart:
PG: Rotunno / McCarthy / Rocci (out)
SG: Bowyer / Crichton / King / Cole (out)
SF: Wanglai (IP) / Connolly / Stevens
PF: Sharp / Smith
C: Han (IP) / Clinch Hoycard

Southside

Expected depth chart:
PG: Andrews / Fakalata / Shiels (out)
SG: Wang / Heal / Boyle
SF: Edmanson / Wightman / Jacobs (out)
PF: Hank / Cochrane / Griffiths
C: Walker / Ernst / Ryan

Missing in action

Geelong

Bec Cole - Lower Leg - Round 5 (replaced by Millicent McCarthy)
Maddy Rocci - Foot - Round 5 (replaced by Jasmine King)

Southside

Claire Jacobs - ankle - Round 3 (replaced by Madison Ryan)
Saffron Shiels - ankle - Round 7 (replaced by Lucy Cochrane)

>> View full injury list

Talking points

Han Xu returns to the WNBL

Fresh off a dominant debut campaign with the Perth Lynx, Han Xu is back in the WNBL, and this time she’s wearing Geelong Venom colours.

The Chinese star was a force at both ends last season, providing plenty for the Lynx inside and claiming Defensive Player of the Year honours as Perth competed in the Championship Series.

With the losses of Maddy Rocci and Bec Cole being a big blow to the squad, Han will have plenty of responsibility in the coming weeks to help her side get some wins on the board.

Southside flying after sensational victory

After a slow start that left them staring down a 14-point deficit, the Southside Melbourne Flyers stormed home on Thursday night to hand the Tasmania Jewels their first ever WNBL loss.

Hannah Hank and Tess Heal were the driving force behind the comeback, while 17-year-old Madi Ryan was also excellent and has received plenty of plaudits in the aftermath of the contest

The side now faces a tough battle coming up against Han Xu and the Venom, but if they bring the same fight they showed against Tasmania, they’re a big chance to make it two wins on the trot with the return of Carley Ernst in her 300th WNBL outing.