Best women's teams going into 2024

Feature image via: Bay Files

Going into the Mitsubishi Motors 2024 NBL1 season next year, it’s time to take a look at the teams who have set themselves up early for a massive season before the calendar has turned over. 

Having put pen to paper, see the best women’s teams on paper going into 2024 below: 

Newcastle Falcons

The Newcastle Falcons started their off-season by re-signing the conference MVP Nicole Munger. 

The UC Capitals star got her break in the WNBL through her NBL1 success these past two seasons, averaging 21.5 points and 12.5 rebounds for the NBL1 East squad. 

She’ll be now joined by future Opals star Isla Juffermans, the 194cm (6’4”) 18-year-old averaged 16.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and shot 69% from the field in 2023 with Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence. 

The pair will form the frontcourt for the Falcons in 2024, creating one of the best rebounding duos in the entire competition. 

Northside Wizards 

Despite losing the reigning MVP and Finals MVP Courtney Woods, the Northside Wizards have bounced back -- retaining their championship core and adding a whole lot more. 

Starting with re-signing two-way star AJ Johnson, WNBL veteran Nadeen Payne and young scorer Kelsey McDermott. They also signed NBL1 North Defensive Player of the Year Erin Bollmann and star-on-the-rise Jess McDowell-White.

McDowell-White was outstanding for the Southern District Spartans last season, as the 23-year-old averaged 12.5 points, 6.8 assists and five rebounds for the club. 

While they’ll miss Courtney Woods – the Wizards are looking to make another strong Finals push next season. 

North Gold Coast Seahawks 

Speaking of stars moving, the North Gold Coast Seahawks have added two superstars to the roster in NBL1 North First Team member Mikaela Ruef and NBL1 South All-Star Five member Miela Goodchild.

Ruef joins the Seahawks after many dominant years with the Logan Thunder and Goodchild will make the move from Mount Gambier up to the Gold Coast. 

The two superstars have formed the first signings for the club, creating an instant dynamic duo – we will see if they can fill out the roster around them to compete with the likes of the Wizards.

Rockingham Flames 

After making the Preliminary Finals last season, the Rockingham Flames started their off-season by going after the best player in the conference, the reigning MVP Alex Sharp. 

Leading the Willetton Tigers to three-straight Grand Finals, the two-time NBL1 West MVP has a new home for 2024 – alongside former Joondalup Wolves Nes’aya Parker-Willians, Shani Amos and head coach Marcus Wong. 

Parker-Williams is coming off a WNBL title with the Townsville Fire and will be ready to expand her role after this season going into a brand-new team under her current assistant in coach Wong. 

Central Districts Lions

After finishing last in the conference last season, the Central Districts Lions are set to improve dramatically with the edition of Jasmin Fejo. 

Related: Why Fejo made the move to the Lions 

Her championship experience and playing prowess make her the perfect player to kickstart a new era for the Lions, providing them a leader and facilitator to support the young roster.

Melbourne Tigers

The Melbourne Tigers made a splash this off-season, bringing in former junior Sara Blicavs for the 2024 season. 

Not only did they sign an Olympian, but they have also retained 2022 NBL1 Central MVP Sam Simons and swiss-army knife Hannah Giddey – alongside a pair of new collegiate signings in Abbey Sutherland and Ella Ogier. 

Under new head coach Kaleb Sclater, the Tigers are looking to bring back the roar in 2024. 

The NBL1 season starts on March 23, see the full fixture here. 

Stay up-to-date with all the latest NBL1 signings via the 2024 Roster Tracker here.