Rockhampton seeking “redemption”

Feature image via: Amy Trinca

In her second season with the Rockhampton Cyclones, Sam Bowman said the team is after one thing, “redemption”. 

In last season’s NBL1 North Grand Final Series, the Cyclones fell 0-2 to the Northside Wizards by a margin of 46 points across the two games. 

While last season’s result was disappointing, Bowman explained the team has far more confidence heading into Friday night. 

“I think that we have a better understanding. I know that last year none of us really had that experience under our belt and now this year almost everyone does. And I know that everybody is looking for redemption,” she told NBL Media. 

“I'm just really excited for the weekend ahead. We all have redemption in our eyes and we really want to redeem ourselves from last year. And I think we have a great opportunity to do that, especially with this group.” 

While a new addition to the group, 2021 NBL1 Central champion Morgan Yaeger, is no stranger to the bright lights of finals. Bowman added that Yaeger’s explosive offence has been a difference maker this season, giving the team an x-factor against a familiar opponent.

“Morgan gives us a whole different feel for the game. I personally love playing with her. She's a competitor and she really gives us that extra oomph,” Bowman said.

“In the guard position, being able to shoot, taking people off the dribble, making plays for other people and also scoring if we needed to score. I think she's a great player and I think that she really brings a lot to the team.” 

Bowman will be one of four players in this series who made the NBL1 North First or Second team. After arguably being snubbed from the team last season, she explained she’s incredibly grateful to be honoured alongside her teammate Lara McSpadden.

“I'm honestly just grateful to be nominated for something. I know I had kind of a rough start to the season. Personally, I wasn't happy with how I was playing,” she said.

“But I feel like my team really brought me in and gave me the confidence that I was lacking at the beginning of the season. So I was just grateful that I was nominated for something.” 

The NBL1 North Grand Finals Series starts on Friday night, streaming from 6:30pm AEST live and free from Kayo Freebies. The series continues on Saturday from 6:00pm and if required, from 2:00pm on Sunday.