The Opals roster of NBL1 talent proves their worth against Japan

The Australian Opals had a full NBL1 roster take on Japan in three warm up games for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup. 

WNBL MVP Anneli Maley came off a recent WNBA stint with the Chicago Sky and crashed the boards in her Opal debut on Tuesday.  She, alongside the 12 other Opals are all playing in the NBL1 this season. See the full roster here.

Check out where all of our 13 Opals are playing in the #NBL1 this season ?? ?

Read more here: https://t.co/UYrUS38ryg pic.twitter.com/suYyQ4jhvl

— NBL1 (@NBL1) June 3, 2022

Each game had a major stand out performance; and it started off with young star for the NBL1 South Ballarat Miners Jade Melbourne. 

The game was any team’s to grab until Melbourne came off the bench and provided the spark to the Opals over the line in game one. 

In 12:41 minutes she scored 11 points and ended the game as the Opals leading scorer in the six point win. 

MELBOURNE STUNS JAPAN! @jade_melbourne the final quarter spark plug for the Opals!

— Megan Hustwaite (@MeganHustwaite) May 27, 2022

Game two saw NBL1 South Geelong Superstar Sara Bilcavs carry the Opals with her 16 points and 12 rebounds in the one point loss against Japan. 

The Tokyo Olympian embodied the Opals spirit of hard work, despite the loss her efforts showed the toughness the Opals will need in the World Cup in September. 

Game three saw Maley join the team, coming straight from Chicago to play in the green and gold. Seconds into her debut she showed what she’s all about, grabbing an offensive rebound and a pick put back set the tone of what the WNBL MVP will bring come the World Cup. 

Anneli Maley takes just TWO SECONDS(!) in her Opals debut to show exactly what she’s all about.
First opportunity to grab an offensive rebound, she does just that & finishes through contact.
The ultimate competitor who will add so much to the Opals squad. pic.twitter.com/bIbjeyasze

— Hayley Wildes (@wildes_hayley) May 31, 2022

She finished the game with 11 points and seven rebounds while veterans Bilcavs and Cayla George scored 15 points and 14 points respectively. 

You can watch all out Opals play in the NBL1 on NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.