Players to watch in Round 5

Closing in on a month of WNBL26 and we have had multiple players emerge into superstars.

If you cannot decide on what games to watch this weekend, here are some players you should keep an eye on. 

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‍Lilly Rotunno vs Southside Melbourne Flyers, Friday, November 14th from 5:30pm AEDT live on ESPN2

In her fourth WNBL season, 21-year-old Lilly Rotunno has taken her opportunity with both hands. As a development player with Sydney and the then Melbourne Boomers – Rotunno was elevated to a full roster spot this season after successfully leading the NBL1 Geelong United side to an undefeated regular season. 

With Shyla Heal returning from injury, Rotunno has started in Geelong’s past three games (six total) and on Tuesday night broke out for a career-best performance of 21 points, 10 assists and four rebounds against the Perth Lynx.

Will she be the next great development player to WNBL star story? 

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Shaneice Swain vs UC Capitals, Saturday November 15th from 3:00pm AEDT live on 9Go

After an injury-riddled start, WNBA draft pick Shaneice Swain has found her groove. 

Returning from back pain, Swain found her rhythm in Round 4, scoring 35 points across two games against Adelaide and Canberra. With the Flames sitting fifth in points per game, an in-form Swain could be the boost the Flames need to get back on the winners' board.

If she maintains her form, the ‘Swain Train’ will be ready for more passengers. 

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Alex Fowler vs Adelaide Lightning, Saturday November 15th from 6:00pm AEST live on ESPN

The 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup MVP has maintained her momentum in WNBL26. While her stats don’t jump off the page, Fowler’s impact on winning has been evident in their 4-1 start. 

Averaging 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 assist per game, Head Coach Shannon Seebohm believes her offensive capabilities will be on display heading into the middle of the season. 

“She had a similar start last year, where it took her a couple games to get into a the flow of it. We’re really encouraging her this year to be more aggressive... The reason she was the MVP was her impact on winning, and I think she’ll still doing all those things with us.”

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Iosbel Borlase  vs Perth Lynx, Sunday November 16th from 3:30pm AWST live on ESPN | Iosbel Borlase  vs Adelaide Lightning, Tuesday November 18th from 6:30pm ACST live on ESPN

Coming off a Player of the Round performance, the 21-year-old Olympic medallist is making a serious case for MVP. Averaging 22 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and two steals per game, Borlase has lead Bendigo to an impressive 3-1 record heading into Round 5. 

Given the keys to Bendigo, Borlase is utilising her star teammates with Marianna Tolo’s and Kelsey Griffin’s elite screen setting, helping the Spirit’s offence go to a new level with Borlase as conductor. 

With a two-game Round ahead, Borlase will go head-to-head with Asia Cup teammate Ally Wilson, then take on rising star Dallas Loughridge back in Borlase’s home state of South Australia. 

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