A new team is joining the competition, several Opals have changed clubs in the off-season, and the league’s stars are ready for tip-off on the 15th of October.
Steph Reid:
Steph Reid will open the season with the new Tasmania Jewels franchise. She spent the past two years playing for Sopron Basket in Hungary’s EuroCup Women competition and last appeared in the WNBL for the Townsville Fire. Reid averaged 3.6 points, one rebound and 1.4 assists per game at the 2026 Women’s World Cup and will be central to Tasmania’s inaugural campaign alongside established stars Darcee Garbin and Keely Froling.
The Jewels will face Geelong in the season opener on the 15th of October.
Alex Wilson:
Alex Wilson will also take the court in the opening round when the Sydney Flames face the Adelaide Lightning on the 18th of October. She returns to Sydney after two seasons with the Perth Lynx, where she earned consecutive All-WNBL First Team selections. Wilson will aim to lift the Flames from the bottom of last season’s ladder.
After averaging 6.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists at the 2026 Women’s World Cup, she arrives in strong form. Fellow Opal Isabelle Bourne will join her at the Flames.
Isabelle Bourne:
Isabelle Bourne has also joined Sydney, signing a one-year deal during the off-season. She arrives from the Southside Flyers, whom she helped reach last season’s finals before they lost a three-game series to eventual champions the Townsville Fire.
Bourne averaged 2.2 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game at the 2026 Women’s World Cup and will look to take another step forward with the Flames this season.
Zitina Aokuso:
Zitina Aokuso is set to play for her third WNBL club after joining the Adelaide Lightning, following previous stints with the Canberra Capitals and Townsville Fire. She impressed at the 2026 Women’s World Cup, averaging 8.2 points, four rebounds and one assist per game, and will be important to Adelaide’s push up the ladder.
Aokuso will begin her season against the Flames on the 18th of October, alongside fellow Opal Steph Talbot.
Steph Talbot:
Steph Talbot will return to the Lightning, having previously represented the club across two stints and 11 seasons. She is currently playing for the Las Vegas Aces, who have secured a WNBA playoff berth, and will join Adelaide when the WNBA season ends. Talbot was outstanding for the Opals, averaging 13.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, and is poised to star for the Lightning once again.
Jade Melbourne:
Jade Melbourne is also moving to a new WNBL club, joining the Bendigo Spirit after six seasons with the Canberra Capitals. She is currently playing in the WNBA and will link up with Bendigo when the American season ends.
Although illness ruled her out of the latter stages of the Opals’ campaign, Melbourne still averaged seven points, one rebound and 2.8 assists per game. At Bendigo, she will form a dynamic partnership with Isobel Borlase.
Isobel Borlase:
Reigning league MVP Isobel Borlase enters her second WNBL season with the Bendigo Spirit. She led the Spirit to third place on last season’s ladder before they lost to the Perth Lynx in the semi-finals. After topping the league’s scoring in 2025–26, Borlase is expected to make another major impact alongside Jade Melbourne.
She averaged 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and three assists per game at the Women’s World Cup and is ready to lead Bendigo in another title challenge.
Alex Fowler:
Alex Fowler returns to the Townsville Fire as a reigning WNBL champion. During the title-winning season, she averaged 10.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Fowler also spent time with the New York Liberty in the WNBA, completing an outstanding year for the forward.
After averaging four points, three rebounds and 0.6 assists at the Women’s World Cup, she is well placed to help the Fire pursue back-to-back titles. Fellow Opal Miela Sowah will join her in Townsville.
Miela Sowah:
Miela Sowah is another returning member of the Fire’s 2025–26 championship team. Now a WNBA rookie with the Golden State Valkyries, she is preparing for her first playoff campaign.
Sowah will return to Townsville when the Valkyries’ season ends. After averaging 1.8 points per game at the 2026 Women’s World Cup, she will be ready to help the Fire chase a second consecutive WNBL title.
Keep up to date with the 2026–27 season via the WNBLwebsite!
