Perth Lynx

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Perth Lynx
LynxWiki.png
Leagues WNBL
Founded1988;36 years ago (1988)
HistoryPerth Breakers
1988–2001
Perth Lynx
2001–2010; 2015–present
West Coast Waves
2010–2015
Arena Bendat Basketball Centre
Capacity2,000
Location Perth, Western Australia
Team colorsRed and black
  
Main sponsor Northern Star Resources
CEONathan Cave
General managerSamantha Macpherson
Head coach Ryan Petrik
Ownership Basketball Western Australia
Championships1 (1992)
Website wnbl.basketball/perth/

The Perth Lynx are an Australian professional basketball team based in Perth, Western Australia. The Lynx compete in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) and play their home games at Bendat Basketball Centre. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Northern Star Resources Perth Lynx.

Contents

The Lynx were established in 1988 as the Perth Breakers. After being owned and operated by Basketball Western Australia from 2001 to 2015, the Perth Wildcats took over ownership and operation of the team for a period of five years. In 2020, the licence was transferred back to Basketball Western Australia. The Lynx have reached six WNBL Grand Finals, winning their only championship in 1992.

History

Perth Breakers

The franchise debuted in the WNBL in 1988 as the Perth Breakers. After withdrawing midway through their second season in 1989, [1] [2] the Breakers returned to action in 1990. [3]

In the 1992 season, the Breakers were led by captain Michele Timms and coach Tom Maher, and with Tanya Fisher, Natasha Bargeus, Lisa MacLean, Marynne Briggs and Marianna Vlahov, the team won the WNBL championship. [4]

The team appeared in the WNBL finals every year between 1991 and 2000 except 1997, making grand final appearances in 1993 and 1999. [3]

Basketball WA's first ownership stint

In 2001, the franchise came under the ownership of Basketball Western Australia. The team was subsequently rebranded as the Perth Lynx. In 2010, another rebrand saw the team become the West Coast Waves. [5] In 14 seasons under Basketball WA, the team failed to make a finals appearance. [3]

Perth Wildcats management

In April 2015, the team's licence was purchased by the Perth Wildcats and their chairman and owner Jack Bendat. The Wildcats subsequently brought back the Perth Lynx brand name. [5] [6] [7] In the 2015–16 season, the Lynx qualified for the finals for the first time since 2000. [8] They went on to reach the grand final, their first since 1999, [9] where they lost 2–0 to the Townsville Fire. [10] [11]

In the 2017–18 season, the Lynx won 14 consecutive games throughout the season and finished on top of the ladder, before losing four matches in a row after enduring seven flights in eight days. They lost to Canberra and Townsville in the final weekend of the regular season and were then swept 2–0 by fourth-placed Melbourne in the semi-finals. [12] [13]

In March 2018, the licence agreement with the Wildcats was extended. [14]

Basketball WA's second ownership stint

Perth Lynx banners at Bendat Basketball Centre, November 2023 Perth Lynx 2023 02.jpg
Perth Lynx banners at Bendat Basketball Centre, November 2023

In March 2020, the Perth Lynx's WNBL licence was transferred back to Basketball WA. [15] [16]

In the 2021–22 season, the Lynx finished in second place with an 11–5 record and reached the grand final, [17] [18] [19] [20] where they lost the series 2–1 to the Melbourne Boomers despite winning game one in Melbourne. [21]

In the 2023–24 season, the Lynx finished in fourth place with an 11–10 record and defeated the first-placed Townsville Fire in the semi-finals to reach their second grand final series in three years. [22] [23] [24] The Lynx won 101–79 in game one of the grand final series against the Southside Flyers. They became only the second team to ever score 100 points in a WNBL grand final and finished the game with 22 three-pointers. [25] [26] [27] They went on to finish runners-up after losing game two 97–95 [28] [29] and game three 115–81. [30] [31] [32]

Season-by-season records

SeasonStandingsRegular seasonFinalsHead coach
WLPCT
Perth Breakers
1988 9th616.273Did not qualifyDave Hancock
1989 Withdrew midseason [1] [2] Dave Hancock
1990 8th1014.417Did not qualifyDon Sheppard
1991 3rd157.682Won Semi-final (North Adelaide, 82–72)
Lost Preliminary Final (Hobart, 74–61)		Don Sheppard
1992 1st173.850Won Semi-final (Melbourne, 54–52)
Won Grand Final (Dandenong, 58–54)		 Tom Maher
1993 3rd126.667Won Semi-final (Dandenong, 83–68)
Won Preliminary Final (Adelaide, 68–66)
Lost Grand Final (Sydney, 65–64)		 Guy Molloy
1994 4th126.667Won Semi-final (Sydney, 62–58)
Lost Preliminary Final (Melbourne, 74–64)		 Guy Molloy
1995 4th126.667Lost Semi-final (Melbourne, 60–39) Guy Molloy
1996 4th117.611Won Qualifying Final (Brisbane, 95–62)
Won Semi-final (Bulleen, 75–58)
Lost Preliminary Final (Adelaide, 87–55)		 Guy Molloy
1997 8th513.278Did not qualifyMurray Treseder
1998 3rd84.667Lost Semi-final (AIS, 84–70)Murray Treseder
1998–99 2nd147.667Lost Semi-final (AIS, 81–62)
Won Preliminary Final (Adelaide, 67–46)
Lost Grand Final (AIS, 88–79)		Murray Treseder
1999–00 4th1110.524Lost Semi-final (Bulleen, 61–60)Murray Treseder
2000–01 7th417.190Did not qualify James Crawford
Perth Lynx
2001–02 7th417.190Did not qualifyRick Morcom
2002–03 7th615.286Did not qualifyRick Morcom
2003–04 8th021.000Did not qualifyMurray Treseder
2004–05 8th120.048Did not qualifyCraig Friday
2005–06 7th417.190Did not qualifyPaul O'Brien
2006–07 7th318.143Did not qualifyPaul O'Brien
2007–08 10th519.208Did not qualifyJoe McKay
2008–09 9th418.182Did not qualifyJoe McKay
2009–10 9th220.091Did not qualifyJoe McKay / Vlad Alava
West Coast Waves
2010–11 8th814.364Did not qualifyDavid Herbert
2011–12 9th220.091Did not qualifyDavid Herbert
2012–13 9th420.167Did not qualifyKennedy Kereama
2013–14 9th123.042Did not qualifyKennedy Kereama
2014–15 8th418.182Did not qualifyKennedy Kereama
Perth Lynx
2015–16 2nd168.667Won Semi-final (Townsville, 91–72)
Lost Grand Final (Townsville, 0–2)		 Andy Stewart
2016–17 3rd159.625Lost Semi-final (Dandenong, 1–2) Andy Stewart
2017–18 1st156.714Lost Semi-final (Melbourne, 0–2) Andy Stewart
2018–19 4th138.619Lost Semi-final (Canberra, 0–2) Andy Stewart
2019–20 5th813.381Did not qualify Andy Stewart
2020 7th49.308Did not qualify Ryan Petrik
2021–22 2nd115.688Won Semi-final (Canberra, 91–77)
Lost Grand Final (Melbourne, 1–2)		 Ryan Petrik
2022–23 4th138.619Lost Semi-final (Townsville, 0–2) Ryan Petrik
2023–24 4th1110.524Won Semi-final (Townsville, 2–0)
Lost Grand Final (Southside, 1–2)		 Ryan Petrik
Regular season281450.3842 Minor Premierships
Finals1623.4101 WNBL Championship

Source: Year By Year

Players

Current roster

Perth Lynx roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.
G 1 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Goodchild, Miela 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Gorman, Stephanie 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
G 3 Flag of the United States.svg McDonald, Aari  (I)1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
F/C 5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Hannan, Ashlee 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
G 6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Forster, Chloe 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
F/C 7 Flag of the United States.svg Morrell, Teige  (IN)1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
G 8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ciabattoni, Alex 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 9 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allen, Sarah  (DP)1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
C 10 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Potter, Emily  (I)1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
F 12 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Clinch Hoycard, Mackenzie 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
G 15 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Foster, Grace  (DP)1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
F 24 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Maley, Anneli  (C)1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
G 25 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Atwell, Amy  (VC)1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
G/F 33 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Klasztorny, Emma  (DP)1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 34 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jacobs, Amy  (DP)1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
Updated: 18 February 2024

Notable former players

Honour roll

The Lynx's retired numbers and championship banner, on display at Bendat Basketball Centre in January 2018 Perth Lynx banners 9.jpg
The Lynx's retired numbers and championship banner, on display at Bendat Basketball Centre in January 2018
WNBL Championships:1 (1992)
WNBL Finals appearances:16 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024)
WNBL Grand Final appearances:6 (1992, 1993, 1999, 2016, 2022, 2024)
WNBL Grand Final MVPs: Tanya Fisher (1992)
All-WNBL First Team: Michele Timms (1991, 1992, 1994), Gina Stevens (1996, 1999), Deanna Smith (2006, 2009), Carly Wilson (2007), Sami Whitcomb (2016, 2017, 2018, 2023), Courtney Williams (2018), Asia Taylor (2019), Katie-Rae Ebzery (2019–20, 2020), Jackie Young (2022)
All-WNBL Second Team: Marina Mabrey (2022), Lauren Scherf (2023), Aari McDonald (2024), Amy Atwell (2024)
WNBL Coach of the Year: Tom Maher (1992), Guy Molloy (1995), Andy Stewart (2016, 2018), Ryan Petrik (2022)
WNBL Defensive Player of the Year: Robyn Maher (1992), Tully Bevilaqua (1995, 1996, 1997, 2000)
WNBL Sixth Woman of the Year: Alison Schwagmeyer (2019–20)
WNBL Leading Scorer: Gina Stevens (1996), Deanna Smith (2006), Sami Whitcomb (2017), Asia Taylor (2019), Aari McDonald (2024)
Retired numbers:4 – Tina Christie, 13 – Melissa McClure, 14 – Melissa Marsh, 41 – Tully Bevilaqua

Source: Perth Lynx Achievements

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References

  1. 1 2 "FLASHBACK 119: April 30, 1989 & May 1, 1987". botinagy.com. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  2. 1 2 "2014–15 WNBL Media Guide" (PDF). wnbl.com.au. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "YEAR BY YEAR". wnbl.basketball/perth. Archived from the original on 25 September 2019.
  4. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (12 March 2024). "Melissa Sinfield and Melissa Marsh hope a Perth Lynx championship will secure the club's financial future". The West Australian . Archived from the original on 12 March 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Perth Wildcats purchase WNBL license". NBL.com.au. 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "Introducing the Perth Lynx". Wildcats.com.au. 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  7. ↑ Rynne, Nick (16 April 2015). "Wildcats creating waves with Lynx". Yahoo.com. The West Australian. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  8. ↑ Robinson, Chris (27 February 2016). "Perth Lynx coach Andy Stewart confident his side can match it with ladder-leading Townsville Fire". PerthNow.com. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "LYNX SMASH FIRE, QUALIFY FOR GRAND FINAL". PerthLynx.com. 28 February 2016. Archived from the original on 28 February 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "LYNX DEFEATED BY TOWNSVILLE IN GRAND FINAL GAME 1". PerthLynx.com. 12 March 2016. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "Perth Lynx defeated in WNBL Grand Final". PerthLynx.com. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  12. ↑ "CLINICAL LYNX CLINCH FIRST PLACE". PerthLynx.com. 23 December 2017. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  13. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (6 January 2018). "Perth Lynx call for WNBL change after semifinal heartbreak against the Melbourne Boomers". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  14. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (7 March 2018). "Jack Bendat keen on helping Perth Lynx break WNBL title drought after extending the club's licence". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  15. ↑ "PERTH LYNX TO ENTER NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH". wnbl.basketball/perth. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020.
  16. ↑ "MEDIA RELEASE – PERTH LYNX". basketballwa.asn.au. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020.
  17. ↑ "LYNX PREVAIL TO MOVE TO WITHIN ONE WIN OF GRAND FINAL". wnbl.basketball/perth. 25 March 2022. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  18. ↑ "CANBERRA AND PERTH GAME POSTPONED". wnbl.basketball/perth. 27 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  19. ↑ "PERTH THROUGH TO WNBL GRAND FINAL". wnbl.basketball. 29 March 2022. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  20. ↑ "THE PERTH LYNX JOURNEY TO 2022 WNBL GRAND FINAL". wnbl.basketball/perth. 1 April 2022. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  21. ↑ "LYNX GIVE IT ALL BUT BOOMERS WIN WNBL CHAMPIONSHIP". wnbl.basketball/perth. 9 April 2022. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  22. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (3 March 2024). "Perth Lynx import Aari McDonald holds the key to a WNBL grand final berth ahead of clash with Townsville Fire". The West Australian . Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
  23. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (3 March 2024). "Perth Lynx beat Townsville Fire to qualify for WNBL grand final as Aari McDonald and Amy Atwell star again". The West Australian . Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
  24. ↑ "LYNX DIG DEEP AT HOME TO ADVANCE TO GRAND FINAL". wnbl.basketball/perth. 3 March 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.
  25. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (10 March 2024). "WNBL grand final: Perth Lynx thrash Southside Flyers in game one as Amy Atwell stars". The West Australian . Archived from the original on 10 March 2024.
  26. ↑ "LYNX SCORCH FLYERS IN AMAZING GAME 1 SHOWING". wnbl.basketball/perth. 10 March 2024. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024.
  27. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (14 March 2024). "Perth Lynx coach Ryan Petrik wants his players to run Southside Flyers into ground in WNBL grand final". The West Australian . Archived from the original on 14 March 2024.
  28. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (14 March 2024). "Perth Lynx defeated by Southside Flyers after buzzer beater in game two of grand final series". The West Australian . Archived from the original on 14 March 2024.
  29. ↑ "FLYERS PREVAIL AFTER LYNX ALMOST PULL OFF FIGHTBACK". wnbl.basketball/perth. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024.
  30. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (17 March 2024). "WNBL grand final: Perth Lynx smashed in game three by Southside as championship dream gets shattered". The West Australian . Archived from the original on 17 March 2024.
  31. ↑ "LYNX FALL IN GAME 3 BUT PLENTY TO BE PROUD OF". wnbl.basketball/perth. 17 March 2024. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024.
  32. ↑ O'Donoghue, Craig (17 March 2024). "WNBL grand final: Perth Lynx coach Ryan Petrik admits inexperience was costly against Southside in decider". The West Australian . Archived from the original on 17 March 2024.
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