Perth Lynx

Western Australian women's basketball team

Perth Lynx

Leagues| WNBL
Founded| 1988; 36 years ago (1988)
History| Perth Breakers
1988–2001
Perth Lynx
2001–2010; 2015–present
West Coast Waves
2010–2015
Arena| Bendat Basketball Centre
Capacity| 2,000
Location| Perth, Western Australia
Team colors| Red and black

Main sponsor| Northern Star Resources
CEO| Nathan Cave
General manager| Samantha Macpherson
Head coach| Ryan Petrik
Ownership| Basketball Western Australia
Championships| 1 (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.

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 four WNBL Grand Finals, winning their only championship in 1992.

## History[edit]

### Perth Breakers[edit]

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. The team appeared in the WNBL finals every year between 1991 and 2000 except 1997, winning a championship in 1992 under coach Tom Maher. They also reached grand finals in 1993 and 1999.[3]

### Basketball WA's first ownership stint[edit]

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.[4] In 14 seasons under Basketball WA, the team failed to make a finals appearance.[3]

### Perth Wildcats management[edit]

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.[4][5][6] In the 2015–16 season, the Lynx qualified for the finals for the first time since 2000.[7] They went on to reach the grand final, their first since 1999,[8] where they lost 2–0 to the Townsville Fire.[9][10]

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.[11][12]

In March 2018, the licence agreement with the Wildcats was extended.[13]

### Basketball WA's second ownership stint[edit]

In March 2020, the Perth Lynx's WNBL licence was transferred back to Basketball WA.[14][15]

In the 2021–22 season, the Lynx finished in second place with an 11–5 record and reached the grand final,[16][17][18][19] where they lost the series 2–1 to the Melbourne Boomers despite winning game one in Melbourne.[20]

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.[21][22][23]

## Season-by-season records[edit]

Season  | Standings  | Regular season  | Finals  | Head coach

|
|
|
|

W  | L  | PCT
Perth Breakers
1988 | 9th  | 6  | 16  | 27  | Did not qualify  | Dave Hancock
1989 | Withdrew midseason[1][2] | Dave Hancock
1990 | 8th  | 10  | 14  | 42  | Did not qualify  | Don Sheppard
1991 | 3rd  | 15  | 7  | 68  | Won Semi-final (North Adelaide, 82–72)
Lost Preliminary Final (Hobart, 74–61)  | Don Sheppard
1992 | 1st  | 17  | 3  | 85  | Won Semi-final (Melbourne, 54–52)
Won Grand Final (Dandenong, 58–54)  | Tom Maher
1993 | 3rd  | 12  | 6  | 67  | Won Semi-final (Dandenong, 83–68)
Won Preliminary Final (Adelaide, 68–66)
Lost Grand Final (Sydney, 65–64)  | Guy Molloy
1994 | 4th  | 12  | 6  | 67  | Won Semi-final (Sydney, 62–58)
Lost Preliminary Final (Melbourne, 74–64)  | Guy Molloy
1995 | 4th  | 12  | 6  | 67  | Lost Semi-final (Melbourne, 60–39)  | Guy Molloy
1996 | 4th  | 11  | 7  | 61  | Won Qualifying Final (Brisbane, 95–62)
Won Semi-final (Bulleen, 75–58)
Lost Preliminary Final (Adelaide, 87–55)  | Guy Molloy
1997 | 8th  | 5  | 13  | 28  | Did not qualify  | Murray Treseder
1998 | 3rd  | 8  | 4  | 67  | Lost Semi-final (AIS, 84–70)  | Murray Treseder
1998–99 | 2nd  | 14  | 7  | 67  | Lost Semi-final (AIS, 81–62)
Won Preliminary Final (Adelaide, 67–46)
Lost Grand Final (AIS, 88–79)  | Murray Treseder
1999–00 | 4th  | 11  | 10  | 52  | Lost Semi-final (Bulleen, 61–60)  | Murray Treseder
2000–01 | 7th  | 4  | 17  | 19  | Did not qualify  | James Crawford
Perth Lynx
2001–02 | 7th  | 4  | 17  | 19  | Did not qualify  | Rick Morcom
2002–03 | 7th  | 6  | 15  | 29  | Did not qualify  | Rick Morcom
2003–04 | 8th  | 0  | 21  | 0  | Did not qualify  | Murray Treseder
2004–05 | 8th  | 1  | 20  | 5  | Did not qualify  | Craig Friday
2005–06 | 7th  | 4  | 17  | 20  | Did not qualify  | Paul O'Brien
2006–07 | 7th  | 3  | 18  | 14  | Did not qualify  | Paul O'Brien
2007–08 | 10th  | 5  | 19  | 21  | Did not qualify  | Joe McKay
2008–09 | 9th  | 4  | 18  | 18  | Did not qualify  | Joe McKay
2009–10 | 9th  | 2  | 20  | 9  | Did not qualify  | Joe McKay / Vlad Alava
West Coast Waves
2010–11 | 8th  | 8  | 14  | 36  | Did not qualify  | David Herbert
2011–12 | 9th  | 2  | 20  | 9  | Did not qualify  | David Herbert
2012–13 | 9th  | 4  | 20  | 17  | Did not qualify  | Kennedy Kereama
2013–14 | 9th  | 1  | 23  | 4  | Did not qualify  | Kennedy Kereama
2014–15 | 8th  | 4  | 18  | 18  | Did not qualify  | Kennedy Kereama
Perth Lynx
2015–16 | 2nd  | 16  | 8  | 67  | Won Semi-final (Townsville, 91–72)
Lost Grand Final (Townsville, 0–2)  | Andy Stewart
2016–17 | 3rd  | 15  | 9  | 62  | Lost Semi-final (Dandenong, 1–2)  | Andy Stewart
2017–18 | 1st  | 15  | 6  | 71  | Lost Semi-final (Melbourne, 0–2)  | Andy Stewart
2018–19 | 4th  | 13  | 8  | 62  | Lost Semi-final (Canberra, 0–2)  | Andy Stewart
2019–20 | 5th  | 8  | 13  | 38  | Did not qualify  | Andy Stewart
2020 | 7th  | 4  | 9  | 31  | Did not qualify  | Ryan Petrik
2021–22 | 2nd  | 11  | 5  | 68  | Won Semi-final (Canberra, 91–77)
Lost Grand Final (Melbourne, 1–2)  | Ryan Petrik
2022–23 | 4th  | 13  | 8  | 62  | Lost Semi-final (Townsville, 0–2)  | Ryan Petrik
2023–24 | 4th  | 11  | 10  | 52.3  | Won Semi-final (Townsville, 2–0)
TBD Grand Final  | Ryan Petrik
Regular season  | 281  | 450  | 38.4  | 2 Minor Premierships
Finals  | 15  | 21  | 41.6  | 1 WNBL Championship

Source: Year By Year

## Players[edit]

### Current roster[edit]

Perth Lynx roster

Players | Coaches
| Pos. | No. | Nat. | Name | Ht. |  |  |

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

G | 1 |  | Goodchild, Miela | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)  |  |  |
G | 2 |  | Gorman, Stephanie | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)  |  |  |
G | 3 |  | McDonald, Aari (I) | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)  |  |  |
F/C | 5 |  | Hannan, Ashlee | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)  |  |  |
G | 6 |  | Forster, Chloe | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)  |  |  |
F/C | 7 |  | Morrell, Teige (IN) | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)  |  |  |
G | 8 |  | Ciabattoni, Alex | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)  |  |  |
G | 9 |  | Allen, Sarah (DP) | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)  |  |  |
C | 10 |  | Potter, Emily (I) | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)  |  |  |
F | 12 |  | Clinch Hoycard, Mackenzie | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)  |  |  |
G | 15 |  | Foster, Grace (DP) | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)  |  |  |
F | 24 |  | Maley, Anneli (C) | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)  |  |  |
G | 25 |  | Atwell, Amy (VC) | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)  |  |  |
G/F | 33 |  | Klasztorny, Emma (DP) | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)  |  |  |
G | 34 |  | Jacobs, Amy (DP) | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)  |  |  |

Head coach

*   * Ryan Petrik

Assistant coach(es)

*   * Natalie Burton
*   * Brad Robbins

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* (DP) Development player
* (I) Import player
* Injured

* * *

* Roster

Updated: 18 February 2024

### Notable former players[edit]

* Ariel Atkins
* Natasha Bargeus
* Tully Bevilaqua
* Rohanee Cox
* Antonia Farnworth
* Betnijah Laney
* Tessa Lavey
* Angela Marino
* Melissa Marsh
* Fiona Robinson
* Asia Taylor
* Michele Timms
* Sami Whitcomb
* Courtney Williams
* Carly Wilson

## Honour roll[edit]

The Lynx's retired numbers and championship banner, on display at Bendat Basketball Centre in January 2018 WNBL Championships:  | 1 (1992)

|

WNBL Finals appearances:  | 13 (1991–96, 1998–2000, 2016–2019)
WNBL Grand Final appearances:  | 4 (1992, 1993, 1999, 2016)
WNBL Grand Final MVPs:  | Tanya Fisher (1992)
WNBL All-Star Five:  | Michele Timms (1991, 1992, 1994), Gina Stevens (1996, 1999), Deanna Smith (2006, 2009), Carly Wilson (2007), Sami Whitcomb (2016, 2017, 2018), Courtney Williams (2018), Asia Taylor (2019)
WNBL Coach of the Year:  | Tom Maher (1992), Guy Molloy (1995), Andy Stewart (2016, 2018)
WNBL Defensive Player of the Year:  | Robyn Maher (1992), Tully Bevilaqua (1995, 1996, 1997, 2000)
WNBL Top Shooter:  | Gina Stevens (1996), Deanna Smith (2006), Sami Whitcomb (2017), Asia Taylor (2019)
Retired numbers:  | 4 – Tina Christie, 13 – Melissa McClure, 14 – Melissa Marsh, 41 – Tully Bevilaqua

Source: Perth Lynx Achievements

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "FLASHBACK 119: April 30, 1989 & May 1, 1987". botinagy.com. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
2. ^ a b "2014–15 WNBL Media Guide" (PDF). wnbl.com.au. p. 10\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2014.
3. ^ a b "YEAR BY YEAR". wnbl.basketball/perth. Archived from the original on 25 September 2019.
4. ^ a b "Perth Wildcats purchase WNBL license". NBL.com.au. 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
5. ^ "Introducing the Perth Lynx". Wildcats.com.au. 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
6. ^ Rynne, Nick (16 April 2015). "Wildcats creating waves with Lynx". Yahoo.com. The West Australian. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
7. ^ 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.
8. ^ "LYNX SMASH FIRE, QUALIFY FOR GRAND FINAL". PerthLynx.com. 28 February 2016. Archived from the original on 28 February 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
9. ^ "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.
10. ^ "Perth Lynx defeated in WNBL Grand Final". PerthLynx.com. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
11. ^ "CLINICAL LYNX CLINCH FIRST PLACE". PerthLynx.com. 23 December 2017. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
12. ^ 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.
13. ^ 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.
14. ^ "PERTH LYNX TO ENTER NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH". wnbl.basketball/perth. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020.
15. ^ "MEDIA RELEASE – PERTH LYNX". basketballwa.asn.au. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020.
16. ^ "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.
17. ^ "CANBERRA AND PERTH GAME POSTPONED". wnbl.basketball/perth. 27 March 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
18. ^ "PERTH THROUGH TO WNBL GRAND FINAL". wnbl.basketball. 29 March 2022. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
19. ^ "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.
20. ^ "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.
21. ^ 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.
22. ^ 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.
23. ^ "LYNX DIG DEEP AT HOME TO ADVANCE TO GRAND FINAL". wnbl.basketball/perth. 3 March 2024. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Perth Lynx.

* Sports portal
* Australia portal

* Perth Lynx official website
* "Perth Lynx overcame a tough WNBL season but their finals campaign can be built on WAIS Rockets heritage" at thewest.com.au

* v
* t
* e

Perth Lynx

Est. 1988 in Perth, Western Australia

The franchise|

* History
* All-time roster

Arenas|

* Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium
* Bendat Basketball Centre

Personnel|

Owner
Basketball WA
CEO
Nathan Cave
Head coach
Ryan Petrik

Retired numbers|

* 4
* 13
* 14
* 41

Seasons|

* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24

WNBL Championships|

* 1992

Rivals|

* Adelaide Lightning

* v
* t
* e

Perth Lynx current roster

* 1 Goodchild
* 2 Gorman
* 3 McDonald (I)
* 5 Hannan
* 6 Forster
* 7 Morrell (I)
* 8 Ciabattoni
* 9 Allen (DP)
* 10 Potter (I)
* 12 Clinch Hoycard
* 15 Foster (DP)
* 24 Maley (C)
* 25 Atwell (VC)
* 33 Klasztorny (DP)
* 34 Jacobs (DP)

* Head coach: Petrik
* Assistant coach: Burton · Robbins

* v
* t
* e

Women's National Basketball League (2023–24)

Current teams|

* Adelaide Lightning
* Bendigo Spirit
* Canberra Capitals
* Melbourne Boomers
* Perth Lynx
* Southside Flyers
* Sydney Uni Flames
* Townsville Fire

Defunct teams|

* Australian Institute of Sport
* Bankstown Bruins
* Brisbane Blazers
* Christchurch Sirens
* Coburg Cougars
* Geelong Supercats
* Hobart Islanders
* Logan Thunder
* Melbourne Tigers
* Noarlunga Tigers
* North Adelaide Rockets
* Nunawading Spectres
* St Kilda Saints
* South East Queensland Stars
* Sutherland Sharks
* West Adelaide Bearcats

Associated|

* National Basketball League
* NBL1 Central
* NBL1 East
* NBL1 North
* NBL1 South
* NBL1 West

Related|

* Basketball Australia

Others|

* Awards
* Seasons
* Finals
* Grand Final
* MVP
* Players
* current rosters, international players

* v
* t
* e

Professional sports teams based in Perth

Australian rules
football|

* AFL: Fremantle
* West Coast Eagles
* AFLW: Fremantle
* West Coast Eagles

Baseball|

* ABL: Perth Heat

Basketball|

* NBL: Perth Wildcats
* WNBL: Perth Lynx

Cricket|

* Sheffield Shield / One-Day Cup: Western Warriors
* BBL: Perth Scorchers
* WNCL: Western Australia
* WBBL: Perth Scorchers

Field hockey|

* AHL: WA Thundersticks (men's)
* AHL: WA Diamonds (women's)
* Hockey One: Perth Thundersticks (men's & women's)

Ice hockey|

* AIHL: Perth Thunder
* AWIHL: Perth Inferno

Netball|

* Suncorp Super Netball: West Coast Fever

Rugby union|

* Global Rapid Rugby/NRC: Western Force

Soccer|

* A-League Men: Perth Glory
* A-League Women: Perth Glory

Water polo|

* ANWPL: Fremantle Mariners
* Fremantle Marlins
* UWA Torpedoes

Main article: Sport in Western Australia
*[Pos.]: Position(s)
*[No.]: Jersey number
*[Nat.]: Nationality
*[Ht.]: Height
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