WNBL27: The experts make their bold predictions

The blockbuster 16 Rounds and 99 regular-season games of WNBL27 tip off on Thursday, when Tasmania hosts Geelong in their historic debut.

Before a ball is even bounced, the League’s experts have peered into their crystal balls to make their bold predictions about the exciting 2026-27 season.

Let’s see who they’ve picked.

Read more >> Comebacks and rivalries headline blockbuster Opening Round

Best Off-Season Recruit

Liam Ellison - Georgia Amoore (Perth Lynx)
Cayla George - Zitina Aokuso (Adelaide Lightning)
Damon Lowery - Emma Clarke (Townsville Fire)
Joel Peterson - Han Xu (Geelong Venom)
Nathan Strempel - Georgia Amoore (Perth Lynx)/Yang Shuyu (Sydney Flames)
Michele Timms - Georgia Amoore (Perth Lynx)

Sixth Woman of the Year

Liam Ellison - Agnes Emma-Nnopu (Sydney Flames)
Cayla George - Marie Gulich (Townsville Fire)
Damon Lowery - Marie Gulich (Townsville Fire)
Joel Peterson - Emma Clarke (Townsville Fire)
Nathan Strempel - Lauren Jensen (Townsville Fire)/Yang Shuyu (Sydney Flames)
Michele Timms - Caitlyn Jones (UC Capitals)

>> CHECK OUT THE FULL WNBL27 SCHEDULE HERE

Robyn Maher Defensive Player of the Year

Liam Ellison - Han Xu (Geelong Venom)
Cayla George - Han Xu (Geelong Venom)
Damon Lowery - Alex Fowler (Townsville Fire)
Joel Peterson - Han Xu (Geelong Venom)
Nathan Strempel - Han Xu (Geelong Venom)
Michele Timms - Han Xu (Geelong Venom)

Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year

Liam Ellison - Olivia Pollerd (Bendigo Spirit)
Cayla George - Kelsey Rees (Bendigo Spirit)
Damon Lowery - Brooke Basham (Tasmania Jewels)
Joel Peterson - Agnes Emma-Nnopu (Sydney Flames)
Nathan Strempel - Manny Puoch (UC Capitals)
Michele Timms - Georgia Amoore (Perth Lynx)

Read more >> How to watch the WNBL27 Season

Suzy Batkovic MVP Award

Liam Ellison - Courtney Woods (Townsville Fire)
Cayla George - Izzy Borlase (Bendigo Spirit)
Damon Lowery - Courtney Woods (Townsville Fire)
Joel Peterson - Anneli Maley (Perth Lynx)
Nathan Strempel - Izzy Borlase (Bendigo Spirit)
Michele Timms - Courtney Woods (Townsville Fire)/Anneli Maley (Perth Lynx)

Coach of the Year

Liam Ellison - Shannon Seebohm (Townsville Fire)
Cayla George - Renae Garlepp (Sydney Flames)
Damon Lowery - Renae Garlepp (Sydney Flames)
Joel Peterson - Shannon Seebohm (Townsville Fire)
Nathan Strempel - Renae Garlepp (Sydney Flames)
Michele Timms - Shannon Seebohm (Townsville Fire)

Most Underrated Team

Liam Ellison - Sydney Flames
Cayla George - Tasmania Jewels
Damon Lowery - Geelong Venom
Joel Peterson - Sydney Flames
Nathan Strempel - Bendigo Spirit
Michele Timms - Tasmania Jewels

Top 5

Liam Ellison - Townsville, Bendigo, Sydney, Perth and Geelong
Cayla George - Townsville, Bendigo, Adelaide, Geelong and Sydney
Damon Lowery - Townsville, Sydney, Bendigo, Perth and Geelong
Joel Peterson - Townsville, Bendigo, Perth, Sydney and Geelong
Nathan Strempel - Townsville, Bendigo, Sydney, Perth and Tasmania
Michele Timms - Townsville, Bendigo, Perth, Sydney and Geelong

Champions

Liam Ellison - Townsville Fire
Cayla George - Townsville Fire
Damon Lowery - Townsville Fire
Joel Peterson - Townsville Fire
Nathan Strempel - Townsville Fire
Michele Timms - Townsville Fire

>> CHECK OUT THE FULL WNBL27 SCHEDULE HERE