Are the Joondalup Wolves the team to beat?

The Joondalup Wolves look as strong as ever going into the 2023 season, as their star duo of Teige Morrell and Robbi Ryan continue to dominate the West. 

Last season they went on a 16-0 run before their first loss late in the season, this time around the team’s core returns and their stars have improved too. 

The 2022  NBL1 West Youth Player of the Year Nes’eya Parker-Williams spent the WNBL season with the championship Townsville Fire, while Robbi Ryan became a stable of the Perth Lynx's season -- leading a late push into the WNBL Finals. 

But the 2023 NBL1 West season has been all about Teige Morrell so far, the 2021 NBL1 Central MVP was the Foot Locker Player of the Week with 33 points, 12 rebounds and two assists against the East Perth Eagles last Thursday. 

“Teige Morrell has just been dominant inside, no one’s got an answer for her in the league right now,” Pike said on The NBL1 Show. 

“She’s clearly one of the best bigs in the country, I wouldn’t be surprised if WNBL clubs are closely looking at her.” 

Pike explained that the team has a chip on their shoulder after how last season ended.

“I think they would have been pretty stung by the way end last season ended,” Pike said.

“They ended up being bungled out of the Preliminary Final, so they didn’t even quite get to the Grand Final, both Teige and Robbi Ryan have come back as their imports.

“We saw what Robbi Ryan can do in the WNBL with the Perth Lynx, and she worked her way well into that season as a powerhouse point guard.”

With the extra motivation from last season to succeed, and Parker-Williams and Ryan both coming off successful WNBL seasons, Pike said the Wolves are the team to watch this season.

“[It’s] early on, but the Wolves looking like certainly the team to beat so far.” 

Watch the Wolves play tonight against the Eastern Suns from 6:30pm AWST via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here.

 Feature image via: Sports Imagery