Melbourne Tigers set for a roaring 2025

The women’s Melbourne Tigers have reloaded for 2025, signing multiple WNBL-calibre stars to make a championship push next season.

During their four completed seasons* in the competition they have finished 13th, 18th, 17th and 15th on the ladder respectively (2019, ’22, ’23 and ‘24).

*The NBL1 South 2021 season was ended prematurely due to COVID-19.

Heading into 2025, the historic club has made a major recruitment drive under head coach Kaleb Sclater, signing Opal Sara Blicavs, Tall Fern Ella Tofaeono and rising stars Indiah Bowyer, Sienna Harvey and Genna Ogier. 

Related: Opals star returns to the court

Alongside re-signing 6’3" Abbey Sutherland, Tylah Hooper and captain Charlotte Brancatisano – the Tigers, in December, are already one of the most talented teams coming into March 29th.

On the NBL1 South podcast, Michael Thompson and Chris Sermeno explained what they think the Opals superstar will add to this line-up.

“(Sara Blicavs) brings an extra element, a bit of experience and I think that Melbourne will be a lot better with her in the team for 2025,” Thompson said.

“Not only that, she’s an epic leader, she’s got incredible talent and experience,” Sermeno added.

As a commentator for the Tigers, Thompson saw the progression of the younger players who’ve re-signed for next season.

“They got a lot out of the Tigers’ youngsters”, he said, particularly highlighting Hooper and development player Leila Davis as the standouts from 2024.

Thompson repeated what Sclater told him this offseason, that he believes championship teams take three seasons to build. And with Sclater coming into his second season with the club, the Tigers are most certainly on the path towards a finals push.

The men’s side will participate in an exhibition clash against the IBL champion Pelita Jaya on Saturday, from 2:00pm AEDT live and free via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. 

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