Morrison likes different Eagles feeling in 2025

Tessa Morrison is as motivated as ever to be part of success at the East Perth Eagles this NBL1 West season and having the captaincy with the big names on board is something she doesn't take lightly.

Morrison is back for a third season at the Eagles in 2025 and she has retained the captaincy for a second straight season, and never wanted to play anywhere else having settled living in Perth, and having found a basketball at East Perth.

There were signs that the Eagles could make a big leap forward in 2024 with the talent they had on board, but for whatever reason it didn’t quite ever click and they only managed to win the six games.

Rather than let that get her down on East Perth's prospects moving forward, it's only strengthened Morrison's desire to be part of success with the Eagles and was a big motivating factor in her committing to return in 2025.

"Even though last season didn't go to plan, it made me more motivated to turn it around and build on our learnings from the past few seasons," Morrison said.

"The Eagles are a great club, I love the people and the atmosphere here and really want the opportunity to reward the club with a successful women's season this year."

Feeling fortunate to be captain

Morrison did a tremendous job leading the Eagles as captain last season while not only having the role as skipper, but also being point guard and having the ball in her hands the majority of the almost 32 minutes a game she was averaging.

While Morrison would have understood had her teammates voted someone like Abby Cubillo, Taylor Roberts, Sasha Goodlett or Madison Torresin as captain in 2025 given their credentials, she also was an obvious choice for the group to be their leader.

It's an honour that Morrison doesn’t take lightly and she is certainly grateful to have such high-quality players and leaders also around her in 2025.

"I am so fortunate to still be the captain going into this season," Morrison said.

"We have added some great experienced players to our rooster which only helps to boost the morale and the more voices/experience, the better in my opinion."

Perfect start to the season

It was a big challenge first up for the Eagles last Friday night to open the new season hosting the reigning champion Rockingham Flames at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.

However, the new look Eagles under coach Tim Symons and their bevy of new signings and still led by Morrison lit up Peter Campbell Basketball Arena for the 87-70 victory to send a message to the league with both teams still having some key players to come in.

Morrison had another strong performance herself with nine points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, but with the added depth this year she was relieved to not have to rack up the 30-plus minutes.

"Absolutely, to get our first win against the reigning champs was the best way to start the season," Morrison said.

"We know they didn't have a full squad, but it was so exciting to see all of our preseason work paying off.

"Madi and Sasha only arrived in Perth within 48 hours of our first game and it was evident in the first game how well they have slotted into our team."

Having some point guard help

Morrison had to carry a big load last season as point guard with the Eagles but that's certainly not the case in 2025 with the addition of two-time WNBL championship winner Cubillo.

The pair also played together this off-season in New Zealand at the Mainland Pouakai so they know each other well, and Morrison is certainly grateful for the support especially the calibre that Cubillo brings.

"I am stoked to have Abby in our point guard spot, it means that I get the chance to play in the two/three where I'd prefer to be," she said.

"She is also a great human on and off the court. She handles pressure and controls our tempo so well which is something we have lacked in the past."

Going back to play in NZ

For the first time since 2022, Morrison went back to play at the Mainland Pouakai as part of the emerging New Zealand league, Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa, and it was a different experience for someone used to getting so much court time.

Morrison has averaged more than 30 minutes a game in her last two seasons with East Perth, but court time was tough to come by with Mainland and she only hit the floor three times during the season for a total of five minutes.

With a team featuring the likes of Cubillo, McKenzie Forbes, Mikhaela Cann, Haliegh Reinoehl, Sharne Robati, Esra McGoldrick and Cassandra Brown, Morrison didn’t take it personally and took the positives out of the whole experience.

"It was different going back home to play, but not in a bad way," Morrison said.

"With the league rapidly progressing each season and the addition of up to five imports per team, it really helped my understanding and appreciation for what it means to be a bench player.

"I had to change my mindset from playing nearly 40 minutes a game to being lucky if I saw the court, which was tough, however in every professional team there are players who never see the court.

"I tried to be the best teammate I could be, make sure that I was always engaged and learn as much as I could from everyone around me.

"I had amazing teammates, with some of the best team culture I've ever been a part of so I am hoping to bring all of my learnings and experience from that season into this one."

What lies ahead in 2025

Obviously the Eagles made the perfect start to the new season last week with the win over Rockingham, but even before that Morrison had high hope of what was going to be possible in 2025.

Part of that is purely with the calibre of talent that the Eagles have brought in, but it's also with the culture shift immediately she's felt with Symons taking over as coach.

"This season definitely feels different," Morrison said.

"We have recruited great people, great talent and great teammates which was what Tim and I discussed after the end of last season."