Nine players to watch at Townsville Tip Off

The WNBL TechnologyOne Townsville Tip-Off takes place from September 17-20, giving fans a first look at some of the biggest WNBL names heading into the upcoming season.

As the event draws near, here is one player from each of the nine WNBL clubs that fans should be keeping an eye on at the Tip Off.

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Jess McDowell-White - Adelaide Lightning 

Arriving in Adelaide for WNBL27 after an impressive showing at the Sydney Flames last season, Jess McDowell-White will look to take her game to another level in brand-new surroundings this campaign.

Averaging 6 points and just over 4 assists per game last season for the Flames, McDowell-White had several strong showings for the side including 17-point and 19-point displays against the UC Capitals just two weeks apart. 

The 26-year-old also had another excellent year for the Southern Districts Spartans in NBL1 North, averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game, and will bring plenty of leadership quality and versatility to Aja Parham-Ammar’s new-look Lightning lineup.

‍Olivia Pollerd - Bendigo Spirit

Re-signing with Bendigo for two more years after a solid rookie WNBL season, Olivia Pollerd has shown flashes of real upside and will look to make big strides this season. 

Her debut season was highlighted by a massive 21-point outburst against Sydney in November, showing what she is capable of at the highest level, before going on to average 22 points and 8 rebounds per game for the Bendigo Braves in NBL1. 

The TechnologyOne Townsville Tip Off will be a great early look at how much further she can take her game in season two, as she looks to bring more of that scoring power to the Spirit lineup in WNBL27. 

Maddy Rocci - Geelong Venom

A three-time WNBL champion and Opals guard, Maddy Rocci departed the Southside Melbourne Flyers for a fresh challenge running Geelong's revamped backcourt.

Reuniting with championship coach Cheryl Chambers and pairing with the legendary Bec Cole, Rocci will be a clear leader in this Venom lineup, aiming to lead the roster back into Finals contention.

Rocci's arrival is just one of a number of key changes in Geelong, who also lured WNBA and Chinese national team star Han Xu to the club this offseason.

veraging 16 points, s7 assists, and 4 rebounds in WNBL26, the star guard is coming off a career-best year and has plenty more to give heading into her 10th WNBL season. 

Alex Ciabattoni - Perth Lynx

Another name coming off a career-best season with plenty to prove in WNBL27, Alex Ciabattoni will certainly be one to keep an eye on at the TechnologyOne Townsville Tip Off.

The mass exodus in Perth has been one of the big stories of the off-season, with several key names leaving the club, and Ciabattoni will be a key leader for the side in WNBL27.

Ciabattoni averaged a career-high of 14.8 points per game for the Lynx last season, and is also coming off an excellent campaign with the West Adelaide Bearcats in NBL1 Central, where she helped lead the side to a 17-1 regular season finish and a Grand Final appearance.  

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Hannah Hank - Southside Melbourne Flyers

Hannah Hank returns to the WNBL after successful stints in Europe and New Zealand, where she won a championship and earned selection in the League’s All-Star Five, as well as a historic silver-medal finish with the Gangurrus at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Warsaw.

Her experience and versatility will be crucial for a Flyers side that has lost plenty of strong talent over the off-season, and she’ll need to make a big statement at the TechnologyOne Townsville Tip Off as the roster looks to build a new identity under first-year coach Sam Mackinnon. 

Jaz Shelley - Sydney Flames

Making the move up to Sydney after two seasons in Geelong, Jaz Shelley is primed to make a huge leap in WNBL27.

Claiming her second consecutive NBL1 conference MVP award, this time in the East under Flames coach Renae Garlepp at the Norths Bears, Shelley has been nothing short of exceptional and will take plenty of momentum into the upcoming season. 

Averaging 13 points per game for the Venom last season, before putting up 23.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game for the Bears this year, Shelley’s game has gone from strength to strength and she’ll bring plenty of consistency into WNBL27 having already built a relationship with Garlepp over the offseason. 

Darcee Garbin - Tasmania Jewels

A two-time WNBL champion and Australian Opal, Garbin is back on a WNBL court after having her first child and is fired up after missing out on a place at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. 

As one of the Jewels' marquee recruits for their inaugural season, Garbin brings plenty of big-game experience to a brand-new franchise. Her outside shooting and offensive rebounding, paired with the experience of Steph Reid and Keely Froling, gives Tasmania an unbelievable experienced core to build its first-ever WNBL season around, and she’ll look to come out of the blocks fast at the TechnologyOne Townsville Tip Off. 

Chloe Forster - Townsville Fire

Part of the Townsville Fire's championship-winning roster, Chloe Forster has quietly been building her game and will look to make even bigger improvements in WNBL27.

Returning off the back of a massive NBL1 West Grand Final performance for the Warwick Senators where she dropped 34 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds, claiming Grand Final MVP honours, the 23-year-old will bring plenty of offensive power to the lineup.

With the Fire keeping their championship group mostly intact, the TechnologyOne Townsville Tip Off will be an exciting chance for Forster to showcase her growth and carve out more minutes among a sensational backcourt lineup.

Amy Atwell - UC Capitals

Heading across to Canberra from the Perth Lynx, Amy Atwell is set to be a centrepiece of the Capitals’ offence in WNBL27. 

Averaging 15.7 points per game for the Lynx last season, the 28-year-old returns fresh off a sensational 3x3 Gold Medal finish with the Gangurrus at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

Also enjoying an impressive run of games in NBL1 West with the Rockingham Flames, including a 47-point masterclass in her most recent outing, Atwell is primed to make a huge statement this season. 

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